Dispute Resolution

This is an online programme for professionals who wish to enhance their non-court dispute resolution skills. The learning pace is flexible, allowing you to choose each semester how many courses you wish to take. The courses provide a comprehensive grounding in essential dispute resolution techniques and theories.

The quality of the programme is evidenced by its recognition by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb): certain courses may exempt you from CIArb’s Membership or Fellowship examinations.

The negotiation course will help anyone who has to negotiate disputes on behalf of a client, for themselves or for an employer.

The mediation courses will equip those who wish to become mediators (or who refer clients to mediation services) with the skills and techniques to do so. Employers and managers often find that mediation techniques help them to better handle staff disagreements and difficult discussions.

Arbitration, whether domestic or international, is an important option, especially in commercial cases. Although it is an adjudicative process, leading to a binding decision, it differs significantly from litigation; in its flexibility, its use of decision-maker expertise and its confidentiality. This programme highlights those differences, enabling students to learn how to prepare for arbitration hearings, how to present cases in an arbitral tribunal and even how, as an arbitrator, to take case through to a decision.

The programme is structured to allow you to tailor your study across the disciplines depending on your learning needs, ensuring you focus on the aspects of dispute resolution most relevant to you. Should you have less time to commit to study, or are returning to study, our one year PGCert programmes provide a strong grounding in either arbitration or mediation. Alternatively, you can take a single course as a ‘taster’ before committing to further study.