Decision-Making Approach in the Process of Mediation

Abstract

Mediation is a legal institution used in international, supranational, and state disputes. A wide range of legal cases in disputes arise include economic, civil, labour or family matters and it is not a closed catalogue. Mediation can be seen as a set of decision-making processes, of which the mediator’s decision-making process is essential for the outcome of mediation. I propose a study to be carried out on the institution of mediation using a decision-making approach in the light of an interdisciplinary review of the results of research that may be relevant to the project, for example from the perspectives of logic, psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. The research will also include elements related to computer-aided decision making and artificial intelligence, and the issues of confidence and emotion will also be included in order to balance the participation of artificial processes. As a result of the research, an SSM (support, stimulate, manage) strategy will be proposed, taking into account the model course of decision-making in mediation with a focus on the mediator’s decision-making processes. The article provides a preliminary reflection and announcement of the start of work on the topic of decision-making approaches in mediation, with a call for discussion, addressed to the academic and professional community. The research is conducted in the Academic Mediation Centre operating at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (Lublin) and within the research group – Central & Eastern Mediation Research Group.