Single Credit Course on "Mediation and Negotiation: Styles, Strategies and Legalities"
A comprehensive skill-based program designed to foster experiential learning in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Background
Recognizing the growing significance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the NLUO Centre for Mediation and Negotiation hosted a Single Credit Course on 'Mediation and Negotiation: Styles, Strategies, and Legalities'. The course spanned over the month of December, for 16 hours in online mode, aiming to provide participants with practical skills in negotiation and mediation.
This initiative was designed to provide participants with practical skills and theoretical insights into the subject, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of its legal, strategic, and procedural aspects. The single-credit course was a skill-based program designed to foster experiential learning. Participants learned by doing, engaging in interactive methodologies such as case studies, simulations, and role-playing exercises.
Led by renowned experts and practitioners, the course offered valuable insights into both foundational principles and advanced techniques. This initiative provided law students, legal professionals, and other participants with an opportunity to enhance their analytical, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, strengthening their expertise in the subject.
Course Learning Objectives
CREATE
To create awareness and educate the participants about the alternative remedies apart from the conventional legal system.
EVALUATE & REMEMBER
To make participants able to interpret the current mediation law in light of the landmark judgments and recent developments.
ANALYZE
To enable participants to differentiate among various processes of ADR.
UNDERSTAND
To familiarize participants and enhance their understanding about the concepts and the legal provisions relating to ADR.
Course Instructors
Course Schedule
Day 1 (December 07, 2024)
Prof. Ved KumariAlternative Dispute Resolution & Communication
Introduction to ADR and its significance, communication in conflict resolution, and the 7Cs of effective communication.
Day 2 (December 08, 2024)
Dr. Akshay VermaTypes of Conflicts
Understanding disputes vs conflicts, root cause analysis, and transforming conflicts into growth opportunities.
Day 3 (December 14, 2024)
Dr. Akshay VermaNegotiation Strategies
Various negotiation techniques, BATNA, MLATNA, ZOPA concepts, and Nelson Mandela's negotiation strategies.
Day 4 (December 15, 2024)
Prof. (Dr.) Sunanda BhartiNegotiation and Mediation Training
Basic Elementary Skills (BESK), active listening techniques, and the Orange Story exercise.
Day 5 (December 21, 2024)
Dr. Akshay VermaInteractive Negotiation Session
Negotiating Style Profile exercise, role-playing scenarios, and the four stages of negotiation.
Day 6 (December 22, 2024)
Mr. Akash Kumar & Dr. Eluckiaa AsaithambiMediation Act 2023 & Stages of Mediation
Morning session on Mediation Act 2023, evening session on mediation stages and mediator's opening statement.
Day 7 (December 28, 2024)
Mr. Akash Kumar & Mr. Abhay KumarNew Mediation Act & Pre-litigation Mediation
Act's purpose and confidentiality, pre-litigation mediation under Commercial Court Act 2015.
Day 8 (December 29, 2024)
Mr. Abhay Kumar & Dr. Eluckiaa AsaithambiCriminal Mediation & Settlement Reports
Mediation in criminal matters and drafting effective mediator's settlement reports.
Learning Outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Participants understood fundamental ADR concepts, identified dispute limitations in formal judicial systems, and learned to choose appropriate resolution methods.
ATTITUDE
Participants developed skills to solve hypothetical problems amicably through ADR mechanisms and encourage others to use ADR.
SKILL
Participants enhanced communication, negotiation strategies, and learned to employ best techniques knowing their BATNA, WATNA, and MLATNA.
ETHICS
Participants learned to solve ethical dilemmas while acting as negotiators and mediators, respecting individual dignity in dialogue.
Participants' Feedback
Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, emphasizing the value of interactive sessions and the integration of key negotiation concepts like BATNA, WATNA, and ZOPA. They particularly appreciated the engaging activities, such as story-weaving exercises and practical role-plays, which helped bridge the gap between theoretical content and real-life applications.
While the majority found all modules to be both practical and informative, a few suggestions were made for improvement. These included providing more detailed explanations of the negotiation plan, incorporating more practical scenarios into theoretical modules, and including short, impromptu negotiations to further enrich the learning experience.
Overall, the course was deemed a great success, with participants offering constructive feedback to enhance its future iterations.