Probate Mediation

Yale University Negotiation Course

With the COVID 19 lockdown in place, I decided to take the opportunity to study Yale University’s online course ‘Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled Negotiator’ run in conjunction with Coursera.

The 8-week course is run by Professor Barry Nalebuff of Yale School of Management and uses a series of online lectures/videos, along with live webinars. In addition, the students are required to participate in a number of live negotiations with other students using Zoom, and submit 5 minute videos of the highlights for review. My negotiations were all with international students (two in Asia and one in Africa).

I understand that the course is based on the core course which Professor Nalebuff teaches first year MBA students at Yale. I found his background in business strategy and game theory gave rise to a different approach and emphasis to negotiation courses usually taught by lawyers.

As a mediator and also a litigation solicitor, I found that the course complemented my experience and training especially well.

#YaleNegotiation

The International Chamber of Commerce Mediation Week commences in Paris on Thursday 6th February 2020.  This will bring together over 500 participants (professional mediators, academics and students) from around the world.

66 university teams will compete in almost 150 mock mediation sessions throughout the competition.  More than 130 professional mediators and mediation trainers participate every year on a voluntary basis to share their expertise and passion for mediation.  Some will act as mediators, making use of their own experiences in resolving cross-boarder disputes, while others will attend as judges, assessing each team’s negotiating and problem-solving skills as we as their ability to make good use of the mediator.

I will be attending for my second year as a judge and wish all participants an enjoyable Mediation Week.

The theory of anchoring is that the first offer anchors the subsequent offers and the negotiation.  The anchoring bias is the common tendency to give greater weight to the first offer/figure put forward and then inadequately adjust from that starting point/the anchor.

Many different types of contentious probate disputes in London can arise.  These can include disputes concerning: a failure to make adequate financial provision (under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975); lack of testamentary capacity; lack of knowledge and approval; lack of due execution; undue influence; fraud and forgery; revocation; construction or interpretation of a Will; and disputes during the administration of estates.

http://tinyurl.com/ycfcmwsm

Mediation is ideally suited to resolving probate, contested Wills and inheritance disputes in London.  Mediation allows parties to fully air their grievances whilst trying to preserve family relationships, and can hasten settlement.