Blog Comments
Blog Comments
User Rating
You are not logged in. Please login to review this user.
Feedback digest
The Feedback Digest has addressed mediation cases conducted by William Lau relating to issues over partnership's alleged secret profits , family dispute over deceased's estate, multi-parties dispute over landed project , brokerage fees and disputes over accounting records between an employer and employee. William’s style of mediation is consultative, facilitative, logical and interest-based from the intake stage to facilitating the resolution of the dispute. His pre-mediation work establishes confidence as parties are satisfied that they are able to be consulted prior to the mediation. The parties generally found the process to be informative and fair with the terms of agreement clarified and the neutrality of the mediator established. The parties in dispute felt consulted and their interests served through communication strategies that included emails, telephone calls or face-to-face interaction. The pre-mediation conference call process, which often is done inadequately by some mediators, met the interests of the clients who expressed their satisfaction that it was both functional and fair. William’s mediation style is largely facilitative, cooperative and process-oriented although he provides direction when needed. His ability to present a calm appearance, when mediating, inspires parties with confidence of his credibility as a mediator. The delicate process of the Introductory Phase, when the parties are driven by their own agendas, is handled in a professionally competent way. His positive style ensures that interest-based mediation is conducted effectively. William conducted the mediation sessions mentioned above in a systematic way, with sufficient flexibility in the process for enabling the parties to vent feelings, engage with key points of concern and express their needs. His manner of listening actively, asking questions that facilitated discussion between the parties and encouraging parties to generate options led each party to express confidence in the process. He was able to remain neutral; however, when required to express an opinion, he did so with honesty and neutrality that was appreciated by the parties. The use of caucus or confidential session enabled each party to disclose and the mediator’s preferred style was to ask questions that raised key issues that could not be managed for confidentiality reasons during the round-table conferencing. This was important as William used the caucus and face-to-face interaction to enable both parties to explore and expand their options. He was skilled at steering both parties to avoid positional bargaining and to achieve a win win outcome where no party felt disadvantaged by the negotiated agreement. The parties have expressed their satisfaction with his approach that concluded the process efficiently and effectively. There were positive comments on all aspects of the process, which is surprising, considering the emotional investment of the parties in the disputes that are of a complicated nature. The parties acknowledged their satisfaction with the process and mediator and were positive that they would request his services again. Thank you for the opportunity to review William Lau’s work. Lionel Cranenburgh LIONEL CRANENBURGH AND ASSOCIATES 200 Hillcrest Road Mundaring WA 6073 Phone 08 9295 2329 mobile 0413 565 474 fax 08 9295 3503 shannonq@bigpond.net.au
This feedback digest was last updated 24 October 2009.
This feedback digest was last updated 24 October 2009.