Mediators take non-judgmental approach
Playing peacemaker is probably one of the toughest jobs on earth. In a developed society like Hong Kong, where rights and responsibilities are highly valued, disputes arise in all areas of life.
In the past, conflicts were mainly resolved by legal professionals through litigation, but after Practice Direction 31 came into force in January last year, parties are now encouraged to explore the possibility of mediation before taking their disagreements to court. Charles Lam, managing director of CLLC Dispute Resolution Services, says mediators are not supposed to judge which party is right or wrong. Their duty is to help parties gain a deeper understanding of the issue and push for a win-win situation.
"You have to be mature and know how to communicate with others in order to achieve a fruitful outcome," says Lam.
Mediators hav