Characteristics of different mediation styles

2011, for the first time, there was a systematic academic process evaluation of the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition. A research team from the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) a German university specialized in research and practice of conflict resolution analysed the mediation proceedings, conducted interviews with the professionals and delivered a focus report on those key aspects of the Mediation Competition which are most suitable for research. This research report will provide the basis for conclusions for the field of commercial mediation in general as well as for possible future developments in the format of the Mediation Competition. The research at hand examined characteristics of different mediation styles in the 6th ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition. Finally, an overall picture became visible. Professionals acting for the ICC reside and work all over the world and are broadly experienced in the various fields of ADR, mediation and related processes. They prefer techniques rather than styles, they prefer facilitative/broad and transformative methods rather than directive ones, they sometimes evaluate, and not all are sure about how to caucus.