Nearly 70 participants took part in Core's innovative one day forum on November 17. We were all challenged by the presenters to think differently about how we address problems and solutions. Feedback has been very encouraging:

"I really, really enjoyed myself on Friday and came away with my head buzzing with 'golden nuggets'."

"I was delighted to see so many delegates …. The younger contributors indicate the way forward for less adversarial resolution of conflicting views which in turn will, I hope, lead to a more understanding approach in establishing effective trading relationships to mutual benefit."

"I enjoyed the course immensely. It was full of really practical and helpful stuff which I have no doubt will be of great benefit."

"An excellent range of speakers, and a good mix of presentations and interactive workshops, meant that the day passed in a flash."

Core intends to offer some of the workshop sessions as stand-alone events in 2007. More information in the near future.

2007 Courses:

Ø Mediation Skills Training: 26-29 March 2007

The Early Bird discount for our next mediation course in March extends until Friday, January 12. To take advantage of this discount, click here to register on-line or here for a registration form, or contact Lisa Garrow on 0131-221-2520 or lisa.garrow@core-solutions.com.

There is already considerable interest in the course and we are looking forward to another excellent four days (with optional assessment to follow in April).

Miriam Clark, who recently spent three months with Core, remarked:

“To me one of the most striking things about actual mediation was how much it resembled the role plays from the courses. I would never have expected them to mirror each other so strongly, right down to the words participants used. It not only impressed upon me the effectiveness of the training provided by Core; but also showed the universality of human reactions to conflict, confirming for me the relevance of this training to all aspects of life.”

Ø Advising and Representing Clients in Mediation:

23 February 2007

An Early Bird discount is also available for this course which is ideal preparation for solicitors, advocates and others who wish to know more about mediation, the process, and how to make best use of it for clients and others.

Register here on-line or click here for a registration form, or contact Lisa Garrow on 0131-221-2520 or lisa.garrow@core-solutions.com.

Mediation Provides Speedy Resolution

Core recently conducted a mediation in Dublin in a matter where there was a significant dispute about intellectual property rights and claims for compensation. The matter was raised in the commercial court on the Monday. On the same day, a mediator from Core was contacted and mediation was arranged for the Wednesday of that week.

Our mediator flew to the venue which had been arranged close to the airport. In the course of the day, the parties involved had serious and frank discussions about the underlying commercial and other issues which had led to the dispute. They managed to find creative ways to deal with these and to achieve a resolution of outstanding issues with which they were all satisfied. A formal agreement was prepared and signed that evening.

On the Thursday morning, parties were able to advise the presiding judge in the commercial court that the matter had been resolved.

Without Commitment Guidance

Core will happily discuss any matter with you if you wish to explore whether mediation might be appropriate. Just give us a call. We can talk to the other parties and we regularly set up without commitment and without cost meetings of parties or advisers who may wish to use mediation, just to discuss the possibilities. Call Pamela Lyall or John Sturrock on 0131-221-2520 or email pamela.lyall@core-solutions.com or john.sturrock@core-solutions.com

Mediation Clause

After consideration of developments in other jurisdictions, we have revised our suggested mediation clause: click here for the latest version.

Core People

We are delighted to welcome Karen Anderson as our new Business Manager. Karen will help us to take Core’s development forward to the next stage. Karen has previously worked for IBM, Oracle, Grant Thornton, InvestecBank, a London based dotcom, and within the social enterprise sector in England. Her work has included operational, human resource, marketing and technology management.

In addition, Laura Rutherford joins us to add valuable administrative support to Lisa Garrow who is assuming a new role with responsibility for delivery of courses and events and helping to arrange mediations. We say a fond farewell to Miriam Clark, our intern from South Carolina, who contributed hugely to Core in her three month stint with us. We wish Miriam well in her career.

Core in the News

In addition to John Sturrock’s regular column in the Scotsman (available on Core’s website), Core has a regular feature in Scotland’s leading business magazine, Insider. To read recent columns, click below:

Becoming “Dispute-Wise” – December 2006

Beware the Bottom Line – November 2006

Power of Mediation – October 2006

To read John Sturrock’s recent article in Legal Week about the development of commercial mediation in Scotland, click here.

Books for the Stocking

· Mediating Dangerously - The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution: Kenneth Cloke (Jossey Bass)

· The Thinker’s Toolkit - 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving: Morgan Jones (Three Rivers Press)

· Freakonomics: Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner (Penguin)

· The World is Flat - The Globalised World in the 21^st Century: Thomas Friedman (Penguin)

· Financial Freedom - Using the Wealth Flow System: Duncan Glassey (www.wealthflow.org)

Festive Good Wishes

We at Core wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2007.

In accordance with our usual custom, we shall not be sending Christmas cards this year. However, we shall be making a donation to the excellent work of MercyCorps which is engaged in relief, education, skills and conflict management work in some of the most challenging situations in the world, including Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Guatemala and Niger. Further details can be found at www.mercycorps.org.uk

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to colleagues who may be interested in it.

To access Core’s news page, click here.

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