IMI – International Mediation Institute
Assessment process for Mediation Advocates by Toolkit Company
A. The MA Applicant submits:
- A case study prepared by the MA applicant, describing an actual mediation case in which this applicant was involved in, or prepare a case study based on several mediations combined. The case study should consist of a minimum of 2 pages excluding attachments: at least 1 page with general information and 1 page of confidential information for the party that the MA applicant represented. The case study should clearly describe: the parties involved, the setting, the issues, the interests and positions of each party, the parties’ constituency, as well as any other relevant information.
- Attachments to the case study: a mediation representation plan, a mediation briefing for the mediator or position paper if applicable, a draft opening statement for the applicant and his/her client (this can be bullet points), as well as a (draft) settlement agreement.
- A self-evaluation of their mediation advocacy skills based on at least 5 actual cases or 50 hours of mediation advocacy. The self-assessment should be a summary of the experience and learning points of those mediations, including what went well, what the mediation advocate could have done differently and why, as well as a list of the applicants general strong points and areas of development. This can be done in the form of a Strengths, Areas for improvement, Opportunities and Threats analysis.
- A logbook. The logbook should state the months and year, number and duration of mediation sessions, duration of the mediation (the start is calculated from the date of first contact with the parties, the end is the date of concluding the mediation or signing the settlement agreement), subject matter, type of parties, and others involved in the mediation, what kind of counsel/mediation advocate/advisor was representing the other party, the kind of mediator(s) involved, the number of participants and whether or not settlement (in part) was reached.
- A strategy and reasoning of how to approach this particular case, what challenges, special areas of attention and opportunities are connected to this case. The applicant must describe how they will prepare for and initiate this case, how to design an appropriate process and what dilemmas and strategic choices they could probably be faced with or have been faced with. The applicant must also describe what is necessary to effectively prepare the client and manage this process with these parties, what factors may be influencing the process including how to adapt the process accordingly and design appropriate interventions. The strategy and reasoning can be submitted separately or as a part of the mediation representation plan, a mediation briefing for the mediator | position paper, a draft opening statement for the applicant and his/her client.
B. Review of materials, written test part
The case study and other materials will be:
- Checked by Toolkit Company to ensure that all documents are submitted and complete (if not the applicant is offered the opportunity to revise and complete their submission once) and
- Reviewed by a mediation advocate/advisor assessor. If the written submissions get a positive evaluation by the assessor, a follow-up interview for the oral test will be planned.
The submitted documents are tested against the general knowledge requirements and practical skills requirements as listed in IMI’s Mediation Advocacy Requirements.
In case the applicant fails in the written test part, s/he is offered the opportunity to revise and re-submit new written materials. In that case the assessment process will start fully over, with a new assessor, unless the applicant prefers to re-submit their material to the same assessor. For this first written part only 50% of the fee will then be applicable.
C. Interview with assessor, oral test part
After reviewing the written materials, the assessor will hold a 60-minute interview with the mediation advocate applicant.
Consisting of:
- Part 1 - Theory and background knowledge of mediation-, conflict- and negotiation theory and especially mediation advocacy theory.
- Part 2 – Discussing dilemma’s and strategic choices that the applicant has made or could/should have made as well as test and discuss how the practical skills listed in IMI’s Mediation Advocacy Practical Skills Requirements have been/would be applied by the mediation advocate.
The detailed interview is based on the written materials (case study with attachments, logbook and self-evaluation) submitted by the MA Applicant; tested against the general knowledge requirements and practical skills requirements listed in IMI’s Mediation Advocacy Requirements and how the applicant deals with dilemma’s and strategic choices that mediation advocates/advisors often encounter.
D. Pass or fail determination
After the interview the assessor communicates (within possibly 1 week, at the latest within 2 weeks) the result of the assessment: Pass, Pass with Distinction, or Fail, accompanied by a short written feedback on strong points as well as the points to improve for the candidate.
Scoring list and pass/fail criteria:
- Missing or unacceptably dealt with
- inadequately dealt with
- Satisfactorily dealt with
- (very) Well dealt with
- Excellently dealt with
In order to pass the applicant must get a positive evaluation by the assessor (score of 3, 4 or 5) in both the written part A and B as well as the oral part C of the examination.
If in one or more parts (A, B or C) the applicant scores less then 3, s/he fails the assessment. In case the applicant scores 5 in 2 or more aspects s/he passes with distinction.
Price
Costs of the full assessment process parts A, B, C and D: € 980,- (excluding vat if applicable). If only part A is taken this accounts for € 490,- Toolkit Company alumni are eligible for a 10% discount.
Application
You can apply for an assessment or ask for more information by dropiing us an email