university of the western cape - etd.uwc.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

FACULTY OF LAW

Mini Thesis Cover Page

A MINI-THESIS TO BE SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF LL.M: LABOUR LAW IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MERCANTILE AND LABOUR LAW,

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE.

Name of candidate: Timur Mete Öztunali

Student number: 3407254

Degree: LLM

Department: DEPARTMENT OF MERCANTILE & LABOUR LAW

Title of Study: Mediation as an alternative to litigation: A comparative study between South Africa and Germany

Supervisor: Mrs. Huysamen

Date: 05/11/2019

http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

FACULTY OF LAW

GENERAL PLAGIARISM DECLARATION

Name: Timur Mete Öztunali Student number: 3407254

1. I hereby declare that I know what plagiarism entails, namely to use another’s work and to

present it as my own without attributing the sources in the correct way. (Refer to University

Calendar part 1 for definition)

2. I know that plagiarism is a punishable offence because it constitutes theft.

3. I understand the plagiarism policy of the Faculty of Law of the University of the Western Cape.

4. I know what the consequences will be if I plagiarise in any of the assignments for my course.

5. I declare therefore that all work presented by me for every aspect of my mini-thesis, will be my

own, and where I have made use of another’s work, I will attribute the source in the correct

way.

—————————— —————— Signature Student Date

University of the Western Cape Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa Telephone: ++27-21- 959 2255/959 2762 Fax: ++27-21- 959 1268/2266

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05/11/2019


Dedica'onandAcknowledgments

ThisthesisisdedicatedtomywifeAnke,whosesupportandencouragementIcanalwayscounton.Iwouldalsoliketothankmyacademicsupervisor,MrsHuysamen,myparents,FraukeandMete,myparentsinlaw,Birgi@andGert,andmydogsBruceandLee.


Abstract

ThejudicialcourtsysteminSouthAfrica isoverburdened,whichresults inparFeshavingtowaitfor long periods of Fme to have theirma@ers se@led or even heard. Furthermore, the cost ofliFgaFoninSouthAfricaisimmense,whichpreventsthebiggestpartofthepopulaFonfromaccesstojusFceinlinewiths34oftheConsFtuFonof1996.Therefore,alternaFvemethodsofdisputeresoluFonareworth looking into.Thispaperwill compare themediaFonsystemofSouthAfricawiththatofGermany.Thiswillallowforabe@erinsightinregardtomediaFonwithinSouthAfrica,whichcanhelptoaddresstheabovestatedproblems.

Title

MediaFonasanalternaFvetoliFgaFon:AcomparaFvestudybetweenSouthAfricaandGermany

Keywords

❖ Alterna'veDisputeResolu'on❖ Media'on❖ Se>lementOutsideofCourt❖ Concilia'on❖ CCMA❖ Compara'veLaw❖ LabourLaw❖ CommercialLaw❖ Germany❖ SouthAfrica


Abbrevia'onsand/orAcronyms:

ADR AlternaFveDisputeResoluFon

BATNA BestAlternaFvetoNegoFatedAgreement

CCMA CommissionforConciliaFonMediaFon&ArbitraFon

ConsFtuFon ConsFtuFonoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica1996

IMSSA IndependentMediaFonServiceofSouthAfrica

IoDSA InsFtuteofDirectorsinSouthernAfrica

LRA LabourRelaFonsAct1965

UNICTRAL UnitedNaFonsCommissiononInternaFonalTradeLaw

USA UnitedStatesofAmerica

RTMKM RoundTableMediaFonundKonfliktmanagement


CoverPage 1

GENERALPLAGIARISMDECLARATION 2

DedicaFonandAcknowledgments 3

Abstract 4

Title 4

Keywords 4

AbbreviaFonsand/orAcronyms: 5

Chapter1:IntroducFontothestudy 1

1.1ProblemStatement 1

1.2Significanceoftheproblem 3

1.3ResearchquesFon 4

1.4Aimsofresearch 4

1.5Literaturereview 4

1.6Proposedchapteroutline 7

1.7Researchmethodology 8

Chapter2:AnintroducFontoalternaFvedisputeresoluFon 9

2.1IntroducFon 9

2.2DisputesandtheresoluFonthereof 9

2.3NegoFaFon 11

2.3.1ApproachestonegoFaFon 11

2.3.2Gametheoryandtheprisoner’sdilemma 12

2.3.3LesscompeFFveapproachestonegoFaFon 13

2.3.4FactorsinfluencingthesuccessofnegoFaFon 15

2.3.5WhennegoFaFonisnotadvisable 16

2.3.6NegoFaFonandethics 16

2.3.7NegoFaFonintheshadowofthelawwithalawyerasnegoFator 18

2.4ArbitraFon 21

2.4.1AnintroducFontoarbitraFon 21

2.4.2FormsofarbitraFon 23

2.5Conclusion 24

Chapter3:MediaFoninSouthAfrica 26

3.1IntroducFon 26

3.2BackgroundtomediaFoninSouthAfrica 26

3.3UnderstandingmediaFon 27


3.3.1IntroducFontomediaFon 27

3.3.2Key(core)featuresofmediaFon 30

3.3.3ApproachestomediaFon 32

3.4MediaFoninSouthAfrica 33

3.4.1VoluntarymediaFon 33

3.4.2StatutorymediaFon 36

3.4.2.1TheLabourRelaFonsAct66of1995(LRA)andtheCommissionforConciliaFonMediaFonandArbitraFon(CCMA) 36

3.4.2.2CompaniesAct71of2008 37

3.4.2.3FamilymediaFon 39

3.5Conclusion 42

Chapter4:MediaFoninGermany 43

4.1BriefoverviewofdevelopmentofmediaFoninGermany 43

4.2SelectedissuesonmediaFoninGermany 45

4.2.1WhomayworkasamediatorinGermany? 45

4.2.2Roleofthemediator 47

4.3MeditaFoninselectedfieldsinGermany 50

4.3.1MediaFonActof2012 50

4.3.2FamilylawmediaFon 53

4.3.3MediaFoninsports(football) 55

4.3.4MediaFoninGermanschools 56

4.3.5CommercialmediaFon 59

4.4RecepFonofmediaFoninGermany 63

4.5Conclusion 64

Chapter5:Conclusion 66

5.1IntroducFon 66

5.2ComparingmediaFoninGermanyandSouthAfrica 66

5.2.1FamilymediaFon 66

5.2.2CommercialmediaFon 68

5.2.3LabourmediaFon 70

5.3ObservaFonsandrecommendaFons 71

5.4Conclusion 73

Bibliography 75


Chapter1:Introduc'ontothestudy

1.1ProblemStatement

TheConsFtuFonoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica,1996(ConsFtuFon)laysthelegalfoundaFonon

whichthemoderndaySouthAfricahasbeenbuilt. Inconferringrightsprovidedforinthe1

ConsFtuFonuponitsciFzens,governmentalsohasthedutytotakeacFontoensurethe

realisaFonofsuchrights.Thisincludescallinguponthejudiciarytoenactlawstoprotectandgive

effecttotherightsprovidedforintheConsFtuFon.ThespecificconsFtuFonalrightthatunderpins

thisresearchissecFon34.SecFon34grantseveryonetherighttohavetheir‘disputeresolvedby

theapplicaFonoflawdecidedinafairpublichearingbeforeacourtor,whereappropriate,

anotherindependentandimparFaltribunalorforum.’ Aswillbehighlightedbelow,theSouth2

AfricancourtsystemingeneralisdysfuncFonalandover-burdened.Assuch,thereisaneedtoturn

toalternaFvemechanismstoresolvedisputes,suchasmediaFon.

IntheAccesstoJusFceConferenceof2011 ,ChiefJusFceNgcoboemphasisedtheimportanceof3

theconsFtuFonalrightofaccesstojusFce.HeheldthatneglecFngtorealisethisrightwouldresult

in‘vigilanFlism,chaosandlawlessness’. TheChiefJusFcealsocommentedonthecharacterisFcs4

anidealjudicialsystemshouldpossess.Thesewerefairness,equalopportunity,minimalcost,

swikness,aswellasaneed-orientedapproachwhichleadstoeffecFvesoluFons. Itisagainstthe5

backdropoftheseidealvaluesandcharacterisFcsthattheChiefJusFcediscussedtheissuesfaced

by,orshortcomingsin,theSouthAfricanjudicialsystem. 6

Thereferencetojudicialsystemincludesthevariouscourtswithinthedifferentareasoflaw,

includingbothcivilandcriminal.Theseissuesincludeinadequatepersonnelbothinnumbersand

intraining,liFgaFongenerallybeingalengthyprocess,thecostinvolvedinliFgaFon,andlastly,the

failureofthejusFcesystemtoberesponsive,understandableandfairtowardsallparFesinvolved. 7

TheresearchthereforeproceedsfromthehypothesisthattheSouthAfricanjudicialsystemasit

The Constitution of RSA 19961

The Constitution of RSA 19962

https://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Speech-of-the-Chief-3

Justice-2011.pdf

Ngcobo S CJ Enhancing Access to Justice: The Search for Better Justice 2011 84

Ngcobo S CJ Enhancing Access to Justice: The Search for Better Justice 2011 9-105

Ngcobo S CJ Enhancing Access to Justice: The Search for Better Justice 20116

Ngcobo S CJ Enhancing Access to Justice: The Search for Better Justice 2011 117


currentlyoperatesdoesnotadministerjusFceinthewayenvisionedintheConsFtuFonas

previouslyhighlighted.

AlternaFve dispute resoluFon (ADR) has gained increased popularity since the 1980s in South

Africa. ADRreferstomechanismsthataredifferenttoregularliFgaFon,andoperateondifferent8

standardsandprinciples. Oneof themaingoalsofADRmethods is to increasetheefficiency in9

resolvingdisputes,whencomparedtotradiFonalcourtproceedingsintheformofliFgaFon.ADR

aimstoresolvedisputesasquicklyaspossible,whilerelyingon proceduresthatare less formal

thanthoseencounteredinliFgaFon.Assistanceisrenderedbyaneutralthirdpartyinana@empt

tomovetheparFestowardsresolvingthedisputethemselveswithouttheneedtoliFgate. There10

areseveralADRmethods,mostcommonly,negoFaFon,arbitraFon,con-arbandmediaFon. The

focusofthisresearchwillhoweverbeonmediaFonspecificallyasaformofADR.Theprocessof

mediaFonisbasedonconfidenFalityandenliststheassistanceofaneutralthirdpartythatactsas

amediatorwhoassiststheparFestoreachamutuallyacceptableoutcome. 11

The researchwill serve toestablishwhetheran increaseduseofmediaFonasa formofADR in

South Africa might alleviate some of the shortcomings experienced within the South African

judicial system.MediaFonwillbediscussedwithin theSouthAfricancontext toascertainwhere

and how mediaFon is most commonly used, most notably within the areas of labour-,

commercial-, and family law.Anassessmentof theuseofmediaFon in thesefieldswill indicate

howmediaFonalreadycomplimentstheformaljudicialsystem,howitpotenFallyalleviatessome

oftheissuesencounteredwithinthejudicialsystem,andhowmediaFoncanbefurtherdeveloped

andmorecommonlyusedinSouthAfrica.

Inordertoproperlyaddresstheaforesaidaims,theresearchwillconsidertheGermanmodelof

mediaFonwithin the idenFfiedfieldsof labour-, commercial-, and family law,while furtheralso

looking atmediaFon as applied in the context of sports and schools – two areaswithinwhich

mediaFonhasbeenfairlysuccessfullyappliedinGermany.ThecomparisonbetweenSouthAfrica

andGermanywillhighlightthetwocountries‘differentapproachestomediaFon,andwhatSouth

Africa could perhaps learn from theGerman approach tomediaFon and vice versa. Thiswould

Nupen C, ADR in South Africa: A Great Tool for a Rapidly Changing Society (1998) 4 Disp. Resol. 8

Mag. 11

Boulle L, et al Mediation: Principles, Process, Practice (1997) 299

Brand J, et al Labour Dispute Resolution (1997) 1910

Brand J et al Commercial Mediation: A User’s Guide (2016) 2 ed 1911


assistingainingabe@erunderstandingofthebenefitsofmediaFonandhowitcouldbeused to

complimentthejudicialsystem.

1.2Significanceoftheproblem

AproperfuncFoning jusFcesystemcontributestowardsamorecivilisedandcoherentstate. In12

an a@empt to achieve such a fairer and more coherent state, it has been suggested that an

increaseduseofADR,asanalternaFvetotheconvenFonalwayofseekinglegaladdressthrough

court liFgaFon, is paramount. As highlighted previously, in South Africa specifically, there are a

numberofissueswiththejudicialsystem.

TheWorldJusFceProject collectsdataintheformofsurveysinordertofindouthowthegeneral13

publicviewsandfeelsabouttheruleintheircountry.Theresultsofthestudyarecategorisedinto

severalaspectsoftheruleoflawandaregivenaraFngfrom0.0to1,with1beingthehighestand

most posiFve result. In 2018/2019 civil jusFce in South Africa in terms of its ‘accessibility’ was

ratedat0.49andthecategory‘unreasonabledelay’receivedaraFngof0.51. TheseraFngsare14

quite low,thereforeallowingforthededucFonthatthegeneralpublicdoesnotviewtheruleof

lawadequateintheaforemenFonedcategories.EventhoughsubjecttolimitaFons,theresultsin

themselvesgivesomeindicaFonastotheproblemsfacedbytheSouthAfricanjudiciary.

While legal services should be accessible to all persons, in reality such services and access to

jusFcearelimitedtothosewhoareabletoaffordit.Thiscreatestheproblemthatthosewhoare

in penury are unable to take part in legal proceedings to the same degree as thosewho have

money.ThisisparFculartrueincivilproceedings. InaddiFontotheissueofcostthatcanhinder15

accesstojusFce,formalproceedingsokentakelongtocometofruiFon,whichinitselfcanleadto

highercosts.

Another shortcoming of a judicial system within which liFgaFon is the main form of dispute

resoluFon is that the nature of court proceedings limits the involvement of the parFes since

processes have been formalised to such a degree that parFes barely have a say in theway the

ma@erwillproceed. Furthertotheabove,acourtdecisionalwaysbringsaboutawinneranda16

Ministry of Justice England & Wales Solving Disputes in the County Courts: Creating a simpler, 12

quicker and more proportionate system 2012

Project is accessible on: http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#/groups/ZAF13

http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#/groups/ZAF14

Holness D, Recent Developments in the Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services by Attorneys in 15

South Africa (2013) PER 2013 Volume 16 no 1



loser.Ajudgemakesadecisionbasedonthefactspresentedbeforehimandwithreferencetothe

applicablelaw,withouttheparFeshavingasayastotheoutcome. Thiscanalsohavetheeffect17

of creaFng a disconnect between the courts and the parFes before it. Where parFes do not

perceive the courts as working in their best interest, a situaFon can occur where ‘jusFce’ is

administered by the people themselves. A state of disorder due to disregard for the law could

ensue.

TheconsequencesofalegalsystemnotfuncFoningatitsbestarefar-reaching.Individualswillbe

hindered from effecFvely enforcing their rights, which suggests non-achievement of the

consFtuFonalrightofaccesstojusFce. 18

1.3Researchques'on

WhatcanSouthAfricalearnfromtheGermanapproachtomediaFonsoastoalleviatesomeofthe

shortcomingsassociatedwiththeSouthAfricanjudicialsystem?

1.4Aimsofresearch

GloballytheuseofmediaFonisontheriseandanincreasingnumberofcountriesare

incorporaFngitintotheirjudicialsystemsasanalternaFveformofresolvingdisputes.Asevident

fromthecommentsmadebyChiefJusFceNgcobo,theconsFtuFonalrighttoaccesstojusFcehas,

some25yearsakerthestartofdemocracy,sFllnotfullybeenrealised.Theresearchwillfocuson

mediaFonspecificallyasaformofADR,andconsiderthenaturethereof.Inorderfortheresearch

toprovideamorecomprehensiveaccount,otherADRmethodswillbeexplainedaswellasthe

legaltheoryunderlyingthem.TheresearchwillalsodiscussthecurrentuseofmediaFoninthe

SouthAfricanjudicialsystem,parFcularlyinthefieldsoflabour-,commercial-,andfamilylaw.

Finally,theuseofmediaFoninGermanywillbeconsideredtoseewhatSouthAfricacanperhaps

learnfromtheapproachadoptedinGermanywiththeviewoffurtherdevelopingthemediaFon

systeminSouthAfrica.

1.5Literaturereview

ChiefJusFceNgcobopreviouslystatedthatthattheSouthAfricanjusFcesystemisinurgentneed

oftransformaFonandchange. ThisprovidesthefoundaFonforthisresearch,asitsignifiesthe19

opportunitythereisforproperalternaFveformstotradiFonalcourtbasedliFgaFon.


Ministry of Justice England & Wales Solving Disputes in the County Courts: Creating a simpler, 18

quicker and more proportionate system 2012

Ngcobo S CJ Enhancing Access to Justice: The Search for Better Justice 201119


CamerersupportstheviewthattheSouthAfricanjudicialsystemhasanumberofshortcomings. 20

AccordingtoCamerer‘[a]llareplaguedbytheillsthatdogotheraspectsoftheadministraFonof

JusFce... and as a result efficiency has deteriorated over the past 20 years‘. Some of these21

shortcomingshavealreadybeenlistedearlier.Mostnotableoftheseshortcomingsarethedelays

infinalising court cases and the cost involved in liFgaFon. In Pep Stores (Pty) Ltd v LakaNO&

others itwasremarkedby theLabourCourt that,onaverage,ma@ersusually takearoundtwo22

yearstobefinalisedbeforelabourcourts. 23

Another problem pointed out by Levine is the manner in which courts approach ma@ers. 24

According to him courts address conflict, but do not encourage the development of amutually

acceptableresoluFon.Thisinevitablymeansthatonlyonepersonwill‘win‘,whichaddsadegreeof

rivalryandcompeFFon.ThisinturndoesnotonlyinterferewithcreaFngaproducFvesystem,but

italsoleadstovariouscosts.Directcostsintheformoflegalfeesareincurred. ProducFvitycosts25

are incurredfortheFmeparFesspendtodealwiththema@er. ConFnuitycostsarealsooken26

incurred,whichdescribealossofrelaFonshipsandcommunityFes. Finally,thereareemoFonal27

costs,whichresultfromthecompeFFvenatureofliFgaFonandfrequentfrustraFonsthatgowith

it.AnADRapproachtodisputeresoluFonhoweverdealswithissuesonacasebycasebasis,while

strengtheningcommunityFes. 28

MarkAnsteycomparesdifferentmodelsofconflictresoluFon,includingmediaFon,andpointsout

howawin-winsituaFonisapossibleoutcomeunderthese. Oneoftheprocesseshediscussis29

jointproblemsolving,whichcanbeusedasabasisinunderstandinghowmediaFonworks.

FeatureswithinthisjointproblemsolvingapproachincludeinformaFonexchangeandclearand

Camerer S Reflections on the Delivery of Justice in South Africa over the last 20 years 2014 20

The Journal of the Helen Suzman Foundation

Camerer S Reflections on the Delivery of Justice in South Africa over the last 20 years 2014 21

The Journal of the Helen Suzman Foundation

PepStores(Pty)LtdvLakaNO&othersLC(J011/97)22

Ngcukaitobi T, Sidestepping the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration: Unfair 23

Dismissal Disputes in the High Court (2004) 25 ILJ 1 1

Levine S The Many Costs of Conflict https://www.mediate.com/articles/levine1.cfm24

Levine S The Many Costs of Conflict https://www.mediate.com/articles/levine1.cfm 25




Anstey M, Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed 124-12629


https://www.mediate.com/articles/levine1.cfm





accuratecommunicaFon,whicharealsocrucialfeaturesinaproperprocessofmediaFon. Boulle30

agreesthatmediaFonhasanimportantroletoplayinanylegalsystem. AmandaBonifaceinturn31

examinesmediaFoninSouthAfricawithinafamilylawcontext.Tothisextentsheanalysesthe

Children’sAct38of2005andtheprovisionofmediaFontherein.Inthema@erofTownsend-Turner

andanothervMorrow thecourtfoundthatthefamilyofagirlhastogothroughmediaFon32

ratherthantopresentanyfamilydisputestothecourts. 33

O’LearyconsidersfamilymediaFonfromamorepracFcalstandpoint.Heemphasisesthat

deadlocksarenormalduringmediaFonandhighlightswaystodealwithsuchsituaFons. 34

RemindingclientswhattheprocessisaboutandthatsoluFonsmustbeexplored,andthefactthat

thealternaFvemightbeworsebothinregardstoprocessandoutcome,remainsimportant.

O‘Learyhighlightsthatthemediator’sroleisnotsimplybeingapassivebystander,buttoacFvely

seekasoluFon. 35

Hoffmanntoalargeextenta@ributesthedevelopmentofmediaFoninGermanytothe

developmentthereofintheUnitedStatesofAmerica(USA).IdeasincorporatedfromtheUSA

systemofmediaFonresultedinseveralformsofmediaFontoformpartoftheGermanlegal

system.OneoftheearliestformsofmediaFoninGermanywascalledtheVicJm-Offender

MediaJon. AsecFonoftheJugendgerichtsgesetz (JuvenileCriminalCode)wasdedicatedto36 37

this,whichprescribedthatformalprocedureswouldnotbeiniFatedifayoungoffendera@empted

toreconcilewiththevicFm. 38

Anstey M, ManagingChange,NegoJaJonConflict (2006) 3 ed 173-17930

Boulle L, et al Mediation: Principles Process Practice (1997) 3131

Townsend-Turner and Another v Morrow (524/2003, 6055/2003) [2003] ZAWCHC 53 (8 October 32

2003)

Townsend-Turner and Another v Morrow (524/2003, 6055/2003) [2003] ZAWCHC 53 (8 October 33

2003) 13

O’Leary J, Mediation in Family and Divorce Disputes (2014) 30/3134

O’Leary J, Mediation in Family and Divorce Disputes (2014) 30/3135

Hoffmann A, Mediation in Germany and the United States, (2007) 9 Eur. J.L. Reform 505 21836

Jugendgerichtsgesetz 195337

Hoffmann A, Mediation in Germany and the United States, (2007) 9 Eur. J.L. Reform 505 21838


DeVriesdiscussesmediaFoninGermanywithinthejurisdicFonoftheEuropeanUnion. The39

EuropeanUnionprovideddirecFonstoallmembercountriesthatmediaFonshouldbe

incorporatedintonaFonalcivillaws. InGermanyitwasdecidedthatthedifferentstatescould40

passlawsconcerningmediaFon,butthatsuchlawshadtobeinlinewiththeframeworkprovided

bytheGermanBillonMediaJonwhichwasadoptedin2012. FieldswithinwhichmediaFonhas41

beenimplementedinGermanyincludefamilylaw,commerciallawandenvironmentallaw.

NadjaAlexanderdiscusseshowtheGermanlegalsysteminterpretstheposiFonofthejudge.The

roleofthejudgesisthatofthe‘keepersofthekeystojusFce’. Therefore,judgesalonemay42

[email protected],judgesintheGermanmediaFonsystemarepart

oftheprocesstoachievejusFce.ThismeansthatajudgehasthedutyencouragetheparFesto

se@lebeforeproceedingwithatrial.ItisalsoareflecFonofhowmediaFonwasfirstperceivedby

thelegalcommunity.However,theposiFveexperienceswiththeaboveapproach,togetherwith

direcFvesissuedbytheEuropeanUnion,createdmoreinterestinmediaFonthattookplace

outsideofthecourtroom.Thishascontributedtoanincreaseintrainingofmediatorsand

presentaFonofeducaFonalcoursesonmediaFon,parFcularlyintheprivatesphere. 43

1.6Proposedchapteroutline

Chapter 1 will serve as introducFon to the research. The chapter will set the scene for the

discussiontofollowintheotherchapters.Thechapterwillconsidertheaimsoftheresearch,as

wellastheresearchquesFontobeaddressed.

Chapter2willserveasageneral introducFonofADRasanalternaFvetotradiFonalcourtbased

liFgaFon, and discuss the various forms of ADR most commonly uFlised, parFcularly in South

Africa.

Chapter 3will focus onmediaFon specifically as a formofADR. Thiswill includediscussing the

currentuseofmediaFoninSouthAfricaspecifically,parFcularlyinthefieldoflabour,commercial

andfamilylaw.

de Vries T, The Legal Regulation of Mediation in Germany, 2012 Acta Universitatis Lucian Blaga 39

209 (2012) 2014

Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 200840

de Vries T, The Legal Regulation of Mediation in Germany, 2012 Acta Universitatis Lucian Blaga 41

209 (2012) 2014

Alexander N, Global Trends in Mediation (2002) 13 World Arb. & Mediation Rep. 272 4742

Alexander N, Global Trends in Mediation (2002) 13 World Arb. & Mediation Rep. 272 4743


Chapter4willaddresstheimplementaFonanduseofmediaFoninGermany.SimilartotheSouth

African posiFon discussed in chapter 3, chapter 4will look at the laws in place and theway in

whichmediaFonfuncFonsinGermany.

Chapter5 isacomparisonbetweentheGermanandSouthAfricanapproachestomediaFonand

howthesystemsmightcomplementoneanother.Chapter5willalsoserveastheconclusiontothe

study.

1.7Researchmethodology

TheresearchwillbeconductedbyconsideringprimarysourcessuchaslegislaFonandcaselawin

regardtoADRandmorespecificallymediaFon.InaddiFontotheabove,theresearchwillbedone

byreviewingsecondarysources,suchasacademicbooksandjournalarFcles.Foreignpoliciesand

laws will also be considered, specifically in relaFon to Germany as part of the comparaFve

research.Asawholetheresearchwillbeconductedinaconceptualmanner,analysingthehistory

ofmediaFon,thenturningtothepresentsituaFoninregardtomediaFoninSouthAfrica.


Chapter2:Anintroduc'ontoalterna'vedisputeresolu'on

2.1Introduc'on

AlternaFvedisputeresoluFon(ADR)encompassesavarietyofprocessesanddifferentapproaches

toresolvedisputes. ThischapterwillreflectwhatdisputeresoluFonmeansandwilloutlinethe44

most important dispute resoluFon processes, with the excepFon of mediaFon, which will be

discussed separately in chapters 3 and 4. For the purpose of this chapter, themost important

dispute resoluFon processes are arbitraFon and negoFaFon. Besides mediaFon, they are most

commonlyusedandaredisFnctenoughtoenableonetoseemediaFon in thebroadercontext.

Less commonlyusedADRprocessesnotdiscussed in this chapter are, amongst others, con-arb,

fact-findingandcollaboraFvelaw. 45

LiFgaFonistheformalprocessthattakesplacebeforeacourtoflaw,andisthereforenotpartof

ADRprocesses.

AsmenFonedinchapter1,liFgaFoninSouthAfricaisperceivedasproblemaFcinmanyaspects.

ApartfrombeingFme-consuming, liFgaFonokenplacesafinancialburdenontheparFes,with46

liFgaFon generally accessible to only wealthier parFes. Another problemwith liFgaFon is that,

althoughjudgesareexpertsinlaw,theyarenotnecessarilyexpertsinverytechnicalissuesrelaFng

totheeconomy,medicineoraccounFng,forexample. TheadversarialnatureofliFgaFonmight47

alsoputaholdonanyconciliatoryeffortsthatcouldhavetakenplacebetweentheparFestose@le

thema@eronanamicablebasis. For those reasons, it isworthexploringADRmechanisms that

servetoenhancethedeliveryofjusFce.

2.2Disputesandtheresolu'onthereof

DisputesoccurbetweentwoormoreparFes,whocanbecommercialenFFesorindividuals.While

some form of disagreement is normal, not all disagreement equates to a dispute. There is an

Applebey G What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (1991) 15 Holdsworth L. Rev. 2044

further reading https://www.labourguide.co.za/workshop/1075-ccma-practice-and-procedure-45

manual-7-th-edition-259-pages/file & Marumoagae MC Does collaborative divorce have a place in South African divorce law? (2016) De Jure 41-57 & Wiese T Alternative Dispute Resolution in South Africa: Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration and Ombudsmen (2016) 7

https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/contract-law/the-disadvantages-of-litigation-46

contract-law-essay.php

https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/contract-law/the-disadvantages-of-litigation-47

contract-law-essay.phphttp://etd.uwc.ac.za/

https://www.labourguide.co.za/workshop/1075-ccma-practice-and-procedure-manual-7-th-edition-259-pages/file



evoluFonfromconflicttoadispute,whichinvolvesvarioussteps. 48

Conflictariseswhenthereisadividebetweentheneedsandinterestsofpersons. Thiscanbeas49

simple as two personaliFes having different percepFons. This stands in relaFon to ‘power’.

RelaFonshipshavecertaindynamics,wherepowerbetweentheparFesisatplay.Itisdependent

oncircumstancesandhasachangingnature. Oken‘power’willcauseconflict.50

The transformaFon from conflict to a dispute takes place through three stages. First is the51

‘naming’stage,whichisusuallyassociatedwithatriggerevent(‘perceivedinjuriousexperience’ ).52

ThetriggereventpromptsapartytonamethecondiFonorsituaFonthatgivesrisetoagrievance.

Thesecondstepinvolves‘blaming’whereaspecificpartyisblamedforthegrievance.Thisinvolves

that the party that is blamed should be held to recFfy the situaFon. The last step is that of

‘claiming’.Thisinvolvesthepersonwhofeelsill-treatedtomakeaclaimwiththeviewtoremedy

thedispute.OncompleFonofthesethreesteps,thereisnowaformaliseddispute,whichrequires

a soluFon. It should thereforebeunderstood thatnotevery claimorgrievancewill result ina53

dispute.

Onceadisputeisdeclared,therearetwosidestothedispute:thatoftheclaimantandthatofthe

respondent. Oken,therespondenthasli@leinterestinreachingaresoluFonbecauseofthecost54

andmoney involved.Theclaimanthasavarietyofmethods toget the respondentacFve in the

dispute. One such method is for the claimant to use a lawyer to proceed with the dispute.

ContesteddisputescanhoweverconFnueforlengthyperiods. 55

Adisputecanendinoneoftwowaysoutsidethecourtsystem.Eithertherespondentreachesan

agreementwiththeclaimant,ortheclaimantdecidesnottopursuethema@er.

Wiese T Alternative Dispute Resolution in South Africa: Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration and 48

Ombudsmen (2016) 2

Ware SJ, Principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution (2007) 2 ed 1249


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2.3Nego'a'on

ThereareseveralapproachestonegoFaFon,whichhavedifferentbenefitsandguidelines. Even56

the definiFon of negoFaFon itself is not uniform. Generally, however, it can be said that

negoFaFon consistsof twoormoreparFeswhohavea conflictordisputeof interest, andwho

wanttoreachanagreementthroughadjusFngtheirindividualposiFons. NegoFaFoncanbeused57

onitsownorincombinaFonwithotherADRmethods. 58

2.3.1Approachestonego'a'on

OneoftheapproachestonegoFaFoniscalledcompeFFvebargainingornegoFaFon.CompeFFve

negoFaFonokenworksinassociaFonwithdividingassetsthatarelimited,forexample,asumof

money. The parFes usually take a specific posiFon in the beginning, and then adjust their59

posiFons,employingpowertacFcsinordertoreachanagreement.ThistypeofnegoFaFonhasa

win–lose character, and the atmosphere has been criFcised for being too adversarial. Although

compeFFvebargaininghasbeendescribedas ‘too compeFFve’ and the results areokenone-60

sided, it can produce a soluFon. Furthermore, where parFes take posiFons that are well61

reasonedandjusFfied–whileonlyusingtacFcsinordertogettoanagreementratherthanusing

tacFcs to a@ack the opposiFon – this approach could produce saFsfactory results. However, in

reality,thisokenisnotthecase,andpeopleholdontotheirposiFonsattheexpenseofconducive

negoFaFon. ThisthenleadstotheusageoftacFcs,suchasimposingulFmatums,threateningto62

terminate the negoFaFon, demanding jusFficaFons, avoidance of issues, extreme demands,

incorrectsummariesandemoFonaloutbursts,allofwhichcreateamorecompeFFvebargaining

atmosphereandaddtoit. 63

BelowtheGameTheoryandthePrisoner’sdilemmawillbeconsideredbriefly.Theygiveaninsight

intonegoFaFonstrategyandthefactorsthatplayaroleinnegoFaFons.

Fiadjoe A Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Developing World Perspective (2004) Chapter 156

Anstey M Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed Chapter 357

Siedel G Negotiation for Success: Essential Strategies and Skills (2014) Chapter 258


Anstey M Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed Chapter 4 60





2.3.2Gametheoryandtheprisoner’sdilemma

Game theory, which was developed by John von Neumann, examines calculated behaviour in

people. ItusesmathemaFcsandlogic inordertoexplainandpredicthowpeopleexpectother64

people to behave. Furthermore, it tries to establish inwhatway people should act in order to

arrive at the best outcome possible. Experiments used in developing game theory aimed at

calculatedbehaviour inpeoplealso includedtheprocessofnegoFaFon.Experimentsfocusedon

comingupwiththebestpossibleoutcomefortwocompeFngparFes,whilehavingregardforcosts

andbenefits. GametheoryreliesontheassumpFonofinterdependencebetweenparFes.There65

aretwodifferenttypesofinterdependence,namelysequenFalinterdependenceandsimultaneous

interdependence. SequenFalinterdependenceiscomparabletochess:theplayermakesamove66

anFcipaFngwhat the other partymight do basedon thatmove. The player tries to think steps

aheadandgothroughavarietyofscenariostodeterminehisorherbestdecision,basedonthe

informaFon he or she has available. This type of interdependence is similar to compeFFve

bargaining,wheretheparFestrytopredicttheotherparty’smovesinordertobeabletoreason

backandmaketacFcalconcessions. 67

DifferenttosequenFalinterdependence,simultaneousinterdependenceassumesthatbothparFes

are acFng simultaneously. Here, one party is unaware of what the other party is doing;68

consequently,theyactinignorance.Thebestoutcomeoccurswheneachpartydoeswhatserves

himorherbest.Thismeans thatoneparty should look fora strategy thatdoesnot relyon the

otherparty,andwhichwill createasituaFonwhere theparFcipants ‘win’by themselves, rather

than lose. However, that does not necessarily translate into the best possible result as the

‘prisoner’sdilemma’ shows.69

Two men stole a car and were arrested. The sentence for the crime was two years in prison.

However, the police believed that both people were also involved in another crime, a bank

robbery. Theywanted to interrogate theprisoners tofindoutwhether theyhad robbedabank

Von Neumann J et al Theory of Games and Economic Behaviour (1953) 3 ed Chapter 364

Dixit A et al. Game Theory http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc1/GameTheory.html65

Dixit A et al. Game Theory http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc1/GameTheory.html66


Ombudsmen (2016) 40


Ombudsmen (2016) 41

Prisoner’s Dilemma was created by Merril Flood and Melvin Dresher, more can be read in 69

Rapoport A et al Prisoner’s Dilemma: A study in Conflict and Cooperation (1970) 1 ed http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

together.Inthescenario,ifbothadmi@edtheirguilt,theywouldservethreeyearsinprison.Ifonly

oneof theaccusedconfesses to the robbery,hewould receivea reducedsentenceofoneyear,

whiletheotheraccusedwouldserve10years. However,ifbothaccuseddenytherobbery,they70

willnotbeconvictedof robberyandwillenduponlyserving twoyears for the thekconvicFon.

Given the aforesaid, the best outcome for the prisoners would be where both deny the bank

robbery.Yet,sinceneitherofthemknewwhattheotherwouldconfessto,andbothfacedtherisk

ofa10-yearprisonsentence,bothconfessedtotherobbery.Thisexampleservestoillustratethat,

even when parFes make the best decision based on the informaFon available to them, the

outcomemightnotbethebestpossibleoutcome.Theprisoners,bynotbeingawareoftheother

person’sdecision, simplydidwhatwasbest for themand serveda year longer than theymight

have. 71

FromtheaboveitisclearthatsharedinformaFoncanbeanimportantasset.Gametheoryfurther

teachesparFestonegoFaFonthatvariablesshouldbereduced,asthiswillincreasetheposiFonto

bargain.Furthermore,trustandcredibilityenhanceaparty’sabilitytobargainaspromiseswillbe

more believable. Reliability can be strengthened by ongoing relaFonships, while short-term

responsibiliFesokendotheopposite. Itshouldbenotedthatgoodfeelingsanddeedsareoken

reciprocated. Game theory can therefore be used as an instrument to analyse negoFaFon

strategies. 72

2.3.3Lesscompe''veapproachestonego'a'on

CriFcismofcompeFFvebargainingresulted intheadopFonofnegoFaFontechniquesa@empted

at creaFng a bargaining atmosphere based on cooperaFon and mutual benefit. Principled73

bargaining has also been referred to as ‘bargaining on the merits’ and has been described by

Fischer and Ury. According to these authors, posiFon-based negoFaFon is not effecFve, and74

operatesat theexpenseof therelaFonshipsbetweenparFes.ThechangingofposiFons induces

‘ego’ into negoFaFons, which has the effect that parFes will defend their posiFon to avoid


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Anstey M Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed Chapter 4-573



humiliaFon.ThisthenleadstoastandsFllinnegoFaFons. FischerandUry’smodelproposesthat:75

• thepeopleshouldbeseparatedfromtheproblem;

• thefocusisontheinterestandnotontheposiFon;

• mulFpleopFonsaregenerated;and

• anobjecFvestandardisconsultedforthesoluFon. 76

Fischer and Ury further emphasises six different elements that help to facilitate the process of

negoFaFon, namely, communicaFon, understanding, raFonality, reliability, persuasion and

acceptance. 77

PrincipledbargainingfollowsthestrategytobeuncondiFonallyconstrucFve,whichissupposedto

increase the effecFveness even in the light of disagreements. The other strategic choice is to

separate the people from the problems. PersonaliFes and people’s backgrounds are oken

different,whichalreadyprovidesabasisfordisagreement.Wheredifferentpeopletrytoresolve

issues, their personaliFes and differences can get in the way and make it more difficult to

determinetheactualissues. Thepeopleinthedisputemustthereforebeclearlyremovedfrom78

theissuesathand.TheparFesmustbetreatedintermsofthesixelementsmenFonedearlier.This

isaimedathelpingtheworkingrelaFonshipbetweentheparFes,andmakingnegoFaFoneasier. 79

The problemsmust be discussedwith a focus on the interests of the parFes. Fischer andUry80

highlightsthatflexibility is important. TheparFesshouldbeopenandcreaFve infindingviable81

soluFons to the problem and to the benefit of both parFes. A tool that can be used is BATNA,

which stands forBest AlternaJve To a NegoJated Agreement. BATNA can provide the parFes82

withastandardagainstwhichtomeasuretheagreement,sothatanyonepartydoesnotaccept

anythingthatisunfavourabletothem. 83


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Anstey M Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed 20681

more on BATNA can be read in Anstey M Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed 82

208-209



Target-specific bargaining is another approach to negoFaFon. It recognises that negoFaFon84

involves people compeFng but at the same Fme,while at the same Fme also emphasising the

importance of informaFon and problem solving. It is aimed at avoiding tacFcal games such as

bluffing, and is focused on finding a soluFon to the problem. A facilitator is involved in the85

processandhelpstheparFesduringthejointproblemreviewandexplanaFonstagestoformulate

the problems. The problems are then grouped and labelled and expert knowledge can be86

consulted, so that in the end the data is presentable. Before the actual negoFaFon starts, the

parFes will agree on the process, which includes due dates, commi@ees and the role of the

facilitator. The negoFaFon itself is characterised by each of the previously determined issues87

beingdealtwithonitsown. 88

2.3.4Factorsinfluencingthesuccessofnego'a'on

A number of factors have been idenFfied that have a posiFve influence on the success of

negoFaFon. Having something in common is usually beneficial for parFes. Whether this is a89

common-orshared/jointgoaldoesnotma@er-whatisimportantisthefactthattheparFesare

workingtowardsasharedbenefitofsomesort. 90

TheastudesoftheparFescanalsocontributetoasuccessfulprocess.Importantfactorsinregard

totheaforemenFonedastudeinclude:believingthattheotherpartycouldcompetebutchooses

to cooperate; viewing differences as helpful and producFve; recognising the legiFmacy of

posiFons;viewingeveryoneasequal;andbelieving inasoluFonandcommongoals. Trustand91

firmnessarealsoimportantfactors. ThesefactorsallowforanopenandconducivenegoFaFon,92

asonepartywillbeabletoexpresshisorherneedsandtheotherpartyhastheopportunityto

understand the posiFon properly. This is also relevant to the sharing of informaFon. Themore

informaFonthatisaccessibletobothparFes,themorebothparFeswillbeabletoemphasisewith

Anstey M Managing Change, Negotiation Conflict (2006) 3 ed 214-21684










eachother’sposiFon.ThisalsoallowstheparFestocomeupwithmorecreaFvemeanstoresolve

the dispute. CommunicaFon should be clear and accurate, so that misunderstanding does not

occurandideasandposiFonscanbeunderstoodfully. 93

2.3.5Whennego'a'onisnotadvisable

While negoFaFon has many benefits as highlighted above, negoFaFon may not always be

advisableunderallcircumstances.Onesuchcircumstancewouldbewhenthereisanotablerisk. 94

This is thecasewhenonepartywouldbe indangerof losingasubstanFalamountofhisorher

assetsorlivelihood,anotherresoluFonprocedureshouldratherbeconsulted.Furthermore,when

apartyhasnointerestintheoutcome,heorsheshouldnotgetinvolved.Timepressurescanalso

result inskewedresults. ApersonunderFmepressurewill trytogetthema@erresolved ina95

Fmelymannerattheexpenseofafavourableandwell-thought-outresult. Thisshouldtherefore96

beavoided.Moreover,whereapartyclearlyactsinbadfaith,negoFaFonshouldasthesuccessof

anyADRislargelyreliantonhonestyandtrust. 97

InaddiFon,wherepostponinganintervenFonsuchasnegoFaFonmightresultinbe@ermeansof

resolvingthedisputeorfurtheringtheparFes’posiFontonegoFate,suchadvantagesshouldnot

be ignored. Oneexamplewouldbewhereone,orallparFes,arenotyetadequatelyprepared.98

NotbeingproperlypreparedfornegoFaFonswill immediatelyputapartyatadisadvantage. A99

well prepared party is in a be@er posiFon to negoFate and make informed decisions and

agreements.

2.3.6Nego'a'onandethics

Asisevident,negoFaFonsareintricateprocessesthatrelytoalargedegreeontheparFesacFng



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Lewicki R The nature of negotiation https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/97

42926_1.pdf

Goldberg S et al Dispute Resolution: Negotiation, Mediation and Other Processes (2012) 98

Chapter 2


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withadegreeofgoodwillandempathyandthedesiretoagreeonasoluFon. However,thewill100

toarriveatasoluFonmustnotresult inapartyacFngunethically.Ethicsare important,as they

requireacertainstandardoftheparFes’acFons.Differenttypesofethicswillbediscussedbelow

in as far as negoFaFons are concerned. This includes ethics as relevant to both the legal and

personalsidesofnegoFaFons.

EthicsrequiretheparFestoactwithintheboundariesofthelaw. Thelaw(parFcularlyinSouth101

Africa),howeverdoesnotsaymuchaboutnegoFaFons.TheremaybesituaFonsthereforewhere

parFesdonotactwithgoodfaith,yettheyareoperaFngwithintheboundariesofexisFnglaws.An

exampleofoperaFngoutsidetheboundariesfthelawwillbewhereapartycommitsfraud.

Fraud is understood as an act of knowingly making a misrepresentaFon of a material fact or

facts. Given this definiFon of fraud, it has to be analysed what the terms ‘knowingly’,102

‘misrepresentaFon’and ‘material fact’mean. ‘Knowingly’ is someFmesdifficult todetermine,as

peopleokenadd,‘Ithink’,whichnegatesaccountability. ‘MisrepresentaFon’normally includes103

non-disclosureoffactsordisclosingfactsthatarenotpresent. Alawyerinacourtoflawhasto104

disclose all relevant facts, not only the facts that support his or her argument. In negoFaFon

however, a party is not held to the same standard as a lawyer and, unless there is a special

relaFonship,apartydoesnothavetodiscloseallfacts.Whethersomethingcanberegardedasa

‘material fact’ depends on the circumstances. It usually is related to the intrinsic qualiFes of a

product or thing; hence,misrepresenFng a car’s age ismaterial,while boasFng about its speed

mightnotbeconsideredmaterial.

Whichapproachaparty takes toethics isapersonaldecisionanddependentonwhatschoolof

thoughtapartyprescribesto.‘Thepokerschool’ approachesnegoFaFonsasagame.Winningis105

the incenFve, though there are certain rules which must be adhered to. A certain amount of

misleadingandtryingtodobe@erthantheother‘player’isallowed,whilehidingcardsortaking

Mnookin RH et al Beyond Winning (2000) 2 ed 4100

Mnookin RH et al Beyond Winning (2000) 2 ed 101


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backtheirproposedbetsisagainsttherules. 106

The‘idealistapproach’ viewsnegoFaFonasanextensionofthesociallife.Thesamerulesthat107

underliesociallifemustthereforebeusedwhennegoFaFng.Thismeansthatifapersonbelieves

that his or her religious codeexpects of himor her tobe relentlessly honest, the same code is

carriedovertonegoFaFon.

The ‘pragmaFc approach’ lies somewhere in the middle, as it views decepFon as part of108

negoFaFon,yetnottothedegreethatmisleadingstatementsareacceptableasthismighthavea

negaFveinfluenceontherelaFonshipbetweentheparFes lateron. Asexample, inasituaFon109

whereone soccer clubwants to buy a player fromanother, the club that follows this approach

mightstatethattheyarenotpreparedtosellacertainplayer,inordertoenFcetheotherpartyto

makeanofferhigherthantheyusuallywould.Despitethis, lyingaboutmaterialaspects,suchas

thehealthofaplayer,isnotaccepted.

Inreality, it issomeFmesdifficult todeterminewhichschoolof thoughtapartytoanegoFaFon

follows.Onewouldneedgreatskillinreadingpeople,andshouldbeabletointerpretcluesinthe

correctmanner.

2.3.7Nego'a'onintheshadowofthelawwithalawyerasnego'ator

NegoFaFon is regardedasaway toarriveata resoluFonofadispute thathappensoutside the

court system. Even though a resoluFon by way of negoFaFon occurs outside of the court110

system, it should be noted that the court system has influence on negoFaFons. Hence, a

relaFonshipexistsbetweenliFgaFonandnegoFaFon. 111

ThereareseveralviewsontherelaFonship,butonerecurringview is thatnegoFaFonhastobe

seenincontext. AcomparisonbetweentheprocessofnegoFaFonandliFgaFoncanbeusedas112




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Hurder AJ The Lawyer's Dilemma: To Be or Not to Be a Problem-Solving Negotiator (2007) 14 112

Clinical L. Rev. 253http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

an incenFve to urge the parFes to se@le during negoFaFon. LiFgaFon usually consumes more

Fme,isexpensive,andtheparFesforfeittheirrighttoarriveatasoluFonthemselves.Therefore,a

negoFatedagreementmightappealtotheparFes. 113

NegoFaFonsare influencedbythe fact that liFgaFonwill followshouldtheparFesbeunable to

come to an agreement. The threat of liFgaFon lingers over the parFes and thereby exerts

influence.Furthermore,thenoFonofthe ‘shadowofthe law’ is important. Thisdescribesthe114

influence of the courts on negoFaFon. During negoFaFon lawyers are oken represenFng the

parFes.ThiscreatesadynamicthatcontemplatesthepossibilityofaliFgatedoutcome.Precedent

enableslawyerstoassessasituaFonandexpectacertainoutcomeshouldthema@ergoontobe

liFgated.ThiscanputanegoFaFngparty ineitherafavourableoranunfavourableposiFon,and

thereforedictateshownegoFaFonsareconductedandiftheyaregoingtobesuccessful. Thisis115

calledrelaJvepowerandcomparestheresultofadisagreementtotheresultofanagreement. 116

However,thedownsidetothisisthatthepartythatcanexpectamorefavourableoutcomeduring

liFgaFon has a greater degree of power and leverage. In order to gain this advantage or

disadvantage,thelawhastobeclearaswellastheoutcome.Wherethelawisquietonanissueor

wherelawyersareunabletorelyonprecedent,thispowerplaydisappears. 117

Whereonepartyreliesonaquickandcost-effecFvewaytose@lethemanner,andanotherparty

does not have to rely on it, it could also create a power imbalance since one party has to

compromisemorethantheotherinordertoreachaquickresoluFon.Thatiswhy,evenwhenthe

lawisquietorunclearandlawyersareunabletopredictacertainoutcome,powerimbalancescan

sFllarise. 118

NegoFaFons between two parFes that are conducted through their respecFve lawyers present

various issues that are worth considering. Lawyers, as part of the communicaFons, make119

negoFaFonsmore intricate.TheparFescommunicatenotdirectlybut instructtheir lawyers,and

thelawyersthenapproachoneanotherandactasagentsfortheirrespecFveparFes.Theconflict



Faris J The Lawyer as a Litigator/Negotiator (2006) 484-486115




Faris J The Lawyer as a Litigator/Negotiator (2006) 487-489119


createdbythisiscalleda‘boundaryroleconflict’. InhisorherfuncFonasnegoFator,thelawyer120

has to show insight into the ma@er and his or her willingness to compromise, which includes

courtesyandthewillingnesstocometoanagreement.Theclient,however,expectsthelawyerto

seetoitthathisorherexpectaFonsaremetandthatthesoluFonserveshimorher.Fromthisitis

evidentthat,fromtheclient’sperspecFve,aresoluteandfirmlawyerispreferred.Theroleofthe

lawyer is complicated by the fact that it is not always clear at which point firmness becomes

unwillingness to cooperate or when willingness to cooperate becomes yielding in to the

pressure. ThelawyerisputinaposiFonthatmakesitdifficulttofulfilwhatisexpectedofhimor121

herinbothroles. 122

CommunicaFonliesattheheartofnegoFaFons,however,manylawyerstendtodiscouragetheir

clientsfromdirectlyspeakingwiththeotherparty. Suchlawyersacceptthefactsaspresented123

bytheirclientsandmakethesefactsconformtoaproblemin law.Fromthatpointonwardsthe

negoFaFonsarerelianton,andcentredaround,thelawyerasmostclientswillnotbeabletotake

part inorunderstandthe legaldiscussionsbetweenthe lawyers. Thisalsosomewhatexcludes124

the possibility of true reconciliaFon between the parFes, which could occur in a discussion

betweentheparFesthemselves.

Further problemsmight arise from themoFves a lawyermight have in his or her professional

capacityinthenegoFaFons. Bylookingatthefacts,alawyermightdiscoverthathisorherclient125

would most probably lose the case if it goes on to be liFgated. This might blemish his or her

reputaFonofnotlosingcases,andassuchthelawyermightthereforese@leduringnegoFaFons,

evenifitisunfavourabletohisorherclient.Anotherdecisivefactorcanbethatworkingthrougha

largenumberofcasesquicklycanbefinanciallyrewarding.Asaconsequence, thequalityof the

negoFatedagreementmightbecompromised. 126






Hurder AJ The Lawyer's Dilemma: To Be or Not to Be a Problem-Solving Negotiator (2007) 14 125

Clinical L. Rev. 253



2.4Arbitra'on 127

Unlike other ADR processes, arbitraFon is oken a ‘default process’, similar to liFgaFon. This128

meansthattheparFesdonotdecidethema@erthemselves.SimilarlytoliFgaFon,thereisathird,

neutral, party who will decide the dispute and whose decision will be legally enforceable. In

addiFon to that, a closer look at arbitraFon and liFgaFon reveals that they have many

similariFes. Infact,arbitraFon’slikenesstoliFgaFonisoneoftheprocess’smaincharacterisFcs.129

Voethowever listedvarious reasonswhypeoplewouldchoosearbitraFonover liFgaFon. This130

involves the fear of astronomical expenses, the pandemonium that goes with it, as well as

uncertainty and delays. The reasonsmight sFll be similar even though arbitraFon has changed

sincetheFmesinwhichVoetoperated. 131

2.4.1Anintroduc'ontoarbitra'on

ArbitraFoncanbedefinedas–

‘[A]processwherebytheparFestothedisputeenterintoaformalagreementthatan

independentand imparFal thirdparty, thearbitrator, chosendirectlyor indirectlyby

theparFes,willhearbothsidesofthedisputeandmakeanawardwhichtheparFes

undertakethroughtheagreementtoacceptasfinalandbinding.’ 132

ThereareseveralsourcesofarbitraFoninSA.Commonlaw,whichstemsfromtheRomanDutch

Law,usedtobetheauthoritywhenitcametoarbitraFon. However,asearlyas1889,different133

Acts started overriding common law. Where legislaFon is silent common law however sFll

applies. WiththeadventoftheConsFtuFon,thequesFonwasraisedwhetherarbitraFonfalls134

withintheprovisionsoftheBillofRights,andmorespecificallysecFon33,whichprovidesforjust

administraFve acFons. The courts held that arbitraFon does not fall within this category, as

Arbitration in general is discussed below, and as such not all parts of the discussion might be 127

completely relevant with reference to arbitration conducted under the auspice of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.

Ware SJ Principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution (2007) 2ed 10128

Ware SJ Principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution (2007) 2ed 10129

Gane P The Selective Voet being the Commentary on the Pandects (1829)130

Ramsden P The Law of Arbitration (2018) 2 ed 7-8131

Ramsden P The Law of Arbitration (2018) 2 ed 6132




arbitraFon is not an administraFve acFon but a judicial one. Nonetheless, fairness remains a135

precondiFonfordecisionsmadebywayofarbitraFon. 136

TheonlydedicatedlegislaFoninSouthAfricagoverningarbitraFonistheArbitraJonActof1965 137

andtheInternaJonalArbitraJonAct enactedin2017.TheArbitraFonActisonlyrelevantwhere138

parFes reach and agreement to refer disputes arbitraFon. The InternaFonal ArbitraFon Act

includesarbitraFonmodelsbasedontheUnitedNaFonsCommissiononInternaFonalTradeLaw

(UNICTRAL).TheActincorporatestheUNICTRALModelLawintotheSouthAfricanlegislaFon.The

applicaFonofthismodelrelatesmostlytointernaFonalcommercialarbitraFon.Theobjectofthis

pieceoflegislaFonistounifyandtoadvanceafairandcoherentmannerofresolvingdisputeson

aninternaFonallevel. 139

InSouthAfricaspecifically,arbitraFonisokenusedindisputesthatrelatetocontracts,labour,and

insurance law. ArbitraFon is someFmes described as private adjudicaFon. The term140 141

adjudicaJonreferstotheprocessofathirdpartydecidingama@er(thedisputeisthereforenot

se@ledbywayofmutualagreementbetweentheparFes). WhilearbitraFonandliFgaFonatfirst142

glancesharemanysimilariFes,therearesFllmanydifferencesbetweentheprocesses.

One of the main differences between arbitraFon and liFgaFon is the fact that an arbitraFon

agreementisatthecentreofarbitraFon.LiFgaFondoesnothaveasimilaragreementinorderto

take place. Thismeans that parFes have to come to an agreement about the circumstances in

which,andmannerwithinwhich,arbitraFonisgoingtotakeplace.InliFgaFon,apersoncanstart

court proceedings unilaterally. ArbitraFon is a private process, while liFgaFon is a public143 144

As confirmed in the matters of Total Support Management (Pty) Ltd and Another Diversified 135

Health Systems (SA) (Pty) Ltd and Another 2002 (4) SA 661 (SCA) and Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union of South Africa v Veldspun (Pty) Ltd 1994 (1) SA 162 (A)

Lufuno Mphaphuli & Associates (Pty) Ltd v Andrews and Another 2009 (4) SA 529 (CC)136

The Arbitration Act 1965137

The International Arbitration Act 15 of 2017138


Sharpe CW Judicial Review of Arbitration Awards under the New South Africa Labour 140

Relations Act of 1995 (2001) 33 Case W. Res. J. Int'l L. 277




Paulsson J The Idea of Arbitration (2013) 30144


process.Thismeansthatthegeneralpublicaswellasthemediahasaccesstocourtproceedingsas

a general rule.With arbitraFon the parFes are able to choose the arbitrator, while with court

proceedingstheparFeshavenochoiceastowhowillpresideoverthema@er.Courtproceedings

also have a predetermined venue based on jurisdicFon. In arbitraFon the parFes will select a

venueandplace,withjurisdicFonnotplayingarole.Courtproceedingsarealsogovernedbythe

rulesofcourt,whichmeansthattherearespecifiedlegalprocessesthatmustbeadheredto.No

similarprescribedprocessesexistinthecaseofarbitraFon.

InliFgaFon,theadjudicatorisajudgeormagistrateoftherelevantcourtbeforewhichthedispute

is being argued. In arbitraFon, however, the process is private,whichmeans that it takes place

awayfromgovernmentcourts. TheadvantageitholdsisthattheparFeswillbeabletodecide145

ontheprocessandwhether itwillbean informalor formalprocess.Thismeansthatwherethe

parFeschooseaninformalprocess,theywillbeabletomakesimplesubmissionsandhighlightand

extendtheroleofthearbitrator. Undersuchcircumstances,arbitraFonisnotasformalascourt146

procedures, while sFll being more formal than other ADR methods, such as negoFaFon or

mediaFon.

ArbitraFon is however notwithout expenses. High-profile arbitrators are generally expensive as

theyarereFredjudgesorpeoplewhohaveobtainedanoutstandingreputaFoninthelegalworld.

Other costs that need to be considered are those associatedwith legal counsel and the venue

wherethearbitraFonisagreedtotakeplace. Allofthisshouldbeconsideredwhenchoosingto147

do arbitraFon. Even though the process is not in an official court, the repercussions as per

arbitraFonawardcanbeseriousandthecosts,asdemonstrated,canbesubstanFal.

2.4.2Formsofarbitra'on

There are several forms of arbitraFon. Well-known forms of arbitraFon include consensual-,

statutory-,court-directed-adhoc-,and insFtuFonalarbitraFon. ‘ConsensualarbitraFon’refersto

twoparFessubmisngtheirdisputetoarbitraFonwithoutbeingforcedbylegislaFonorclausesin

contracts. ‘StatutoryarbitraFon’,ontheotherhand,referstoarbitraFonwheretheparFesare148

obligatedtogotoarbitraFonbylaw,asexample, intermsoftheLabourRelaJonsAct (LRA)in149



Ombudsmen (2016) 127



Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995149


certainemploymentdisputes inSouthAfrica. Italsohappensthatacourt iniFallyhearsama@er

andthendecidesthatthema@ermustbedeferredtoarbitraFon.Thisokenoccursinfamilylaw

ma@ers. ThistypeofarbitraFoniscalled‘court-directedarbitraFon’. ‘AdhocarbitraFon’refers150 151

toclausesoragreementsthatobligetheparFestogotoarbitraFonratherthantogotocourt. 152

‘InsFtuFonal arbitraFon’ is similar to ad hoc arbitraFon, however, the agreement to arbitrate

specifiesthatthearbitraFonmustbeconductedthroughanagreedarbitraFoninsFtuFon. While153

sucharbitraFoninsFtuFonsaregenerallymoreexpensive,duetothereputaFonandcredibilityof

suchinsFtuFons,theawardsofsuchinsFtuFonsarewellrespected. 154

Apart from the aforesaid forms of arbitraFon, there are also several less-known forms of

arbitraFon.Onesuchless-knownformofarbitraFonis‘documents-onlyarbitraFon’. Thisformof155

arbitraFonisconsideredwheretheparFesagreethatanarbitraFonbasedonoralevidencemight

inconvenience them or is not required, and that documentary evidence, such as affidavits, will

suffice. ‘Fast-track arbitraFon’ refers to an arbitraFon where the parFes agree on a specific

deadlinesothatthema@ercomestoconclusionwithintheparFes’realmofwhattheyregardas

reasonable. ‘Ex parte arbitraFon’ caters for a scenario where only one party a@ends the156

arbitraFon. This is the claimant who regardless of the defendant’s a@endance has to give157

evidenceforhisorhercase,whilethedefendantcansubmitadefencethroughastatement.

FromtheaboveitisapparentthatthereisavarietyofarbitraFonprocessesand,unlessstatutory

arbitraFonmakesaspecificprocesscompulsory, it is for theparFes toselect the formthatbest

suitstheirneeds.

2.5Conclusion

Thechapterservedas introducFontoADRoverallandproceededtoprovide further insight into

theprocessesofnegoFaFonandarbitraFonastwoofthemostcommonlyusedformsofADR.ADR

methodsarecapableofbeingsuitedtotheparFes’needsandofworkingtowardsaprocessthat










catersfortheneedsoftheparFes.Flexibilityaswellasadaptabilitycanplayanimportantrolein

resolvingadisputeinawaythatsaFsfiesthecircumstancesofthedispute.ThisallowstheparFes

to resolve thedispute inamanner that suits theirneeds. Thisdoesnotmean that success is158

guaranteed. However, it allows for a needs-specific response to the dispute and ulFmately the

resoluFonofit.

The following chapter will focus on the process of mediaFon specifically in the South African

context.

Stipanowich T Arbitration: The New Litigation (2010) U. Ill. L. Rev. 1 8158


Chapter3:Media'oninSouthAfrica

3.1Introduc'on

Havingbroadly introducedADR,notablynegoFaFonandarbitraFon,processes inchapter2, this

chapterwillfocusontheADRprocessofmediaFonspecifically.Thegeneralprinciplesunderlying

mediaFon will be explained as well as different concepts relaFng to mediaFon. MediaFon as

uFlised in South Africa will be considered, specifically with reference to the fields of labour,

company,andfamilylaw.

3.2Backgroundtomedia'oninSouthAfrica

MediaFon as an informal and voluntarymeans of resolving disputes reaches back as far as the

beginningofchronology. ThetermmediaJonisderivedfromtheLaFnwordsmediaJo,medius159

and medius fratris et sororis, which can respecFvely be translated to mean ‘mediaFon’,

‘intermediate’(asadjecFve),and‘beingtheintermediatebetweenbrotherandsister’(asnoun). 160

From the origin of the word the aim of mediaFon can be derived as finding a middle ground

betweenparFes,aswellasdenoFngtheassistanceofferedbyaneutralthirdpartywhohelpsthe

parFesina@emptstoreachmiddlegroundinaconflict. 161

SouthAfricahasalonghistoryoftradiFonalcommuniFesimplemenFngcorrecFveproceduresto

resolve disputes. Of parFcular importance is the Xhosa and Zulu concept of ubuntu. Ubuntu

conveys that a person is a person through other people’. This highlights the importance of162

communityandvalues,suchastolerance,empathy, respect,communicaFonandcompromise. 163

DisputesinsuchtradiFonalcommuniFesareresolvedbyapplicaFonofvaluesinherenttoubuntu.

Likewise,thePediendorsesthatparFesmustfirsta@empttoresolveadisputethemselvesbefore

involvingcommunitychiefsandfamilies. Shouldthisfail,thereisahierarchyoftradiFonalcourts164

thatmust be turned to, where the chief will try to uphold the harmony of the community by

encouragingtheparFestoresolvethedispute. 165

Trenczek T et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement Handbuch (2017) 2 ed 42159



Brand J et al Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2 ed 1162


Boniface AE African-Style Mediation and Western-Style Divorce and Family Mediation: 164

Reflections for the South African Context (2012) 15 Potchefstroom Elec. L.J. 377



MediaFona@ainedincreaseda@enFoninSouthAfricaduringthe1980swiththeformaFonofthe

Independent MediaFon Service of South Africa (IMSSA) in 1984. IMSSA was formed as an

alternaFvetoaninefficientcourtsystem. DuringtheFmeofpoliFcaltransiFonleadinguptothe166

era of democracy in 1994, the NaFonal Peace Accord determined that African tradiFons with

regardtodisputeresoluFonshouldbeimplemented. TheNaFonalPeaceAccordwascreatedto167

assistSouthAfricawiththetransiFonintoademocraFcstatebyprovidingforstructuresaimedat

preservingpeace. 168

From the above it becomes clear that mediaFon has since as far back as the 1980s already

received support from the legal community and other stakeholders. Its relevance is ever-

increasing, withmediaFonwell provided for in divorce proceedings, family, environmental, and

labourlawinSouthAfrica. 169

3.3Understandingmedia'on

BeforeturningtotheposiFoninSouthAfricaspecifically,thediscussionbelowwillfirstprovidea

briefintroducFonto,andgeneraloverviewof,mediaFonasaformofADR.

3.3.1Introduc'ontomedia'on

MediaFoncouldbeformulatedasexpressingthataconflictisthepropertyoftheparFesandthat

they are generally able to resolve the dispute amongst themselves. This strengthens the170

autonomy and dignity of parFes as encapsulated in the ConsFtuFon. The parFes involved in171

mediaFoncontrol theprocessandtheconclusion to theirconflict.Therefore, it canbesaid that

mediaFonsupportsthenoFonsofbothautonomyanddignity,asitempowersparFestoresolvea

conflicteffecFvely. 172

EncapsulaFng a precise definiFon of mediaFon has however been difficult. MediaFon as a173

Nupen C ADR in South Africa: A Great Tool for a Rapidly Changing Society, (1998) 4 Disp. 166

Resol. Mag. 11


https://omalley.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/index.php/site/q/168

03lv02424/04lv03275/05lv03294/06lv03321.htm



The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996)171


Rabe C et al Mediation: Grundlagen, Methoden, rechtlicher Ramen (2014) Chapter 1.2.8173


process in itself can vary vastly, largely due to the different purposes of mediaFon and the

circumstancesinwhichpeoplewishtoimplementit. WhileonedefiniFonofmediaFonmightbe174

suitedtoaspecificinstance,itcouldatthesameFmebedeemedirrelevantorfaultyinadifferent

situaFon.Consequently,theflexibilityofmediaFonprocessesmakesitdifficulttodefinetheterm

in exact words.Mediators themselves also have different understandings ofmediaFon and the

moFves and context ofmediaFon differ. Various theoreFcal approaches tomediaFon exist, but

nonehas been accepted to thedegree that it provides for a clear definiFon. In SouthAfrica,175

definiFons ofmediaFon are essenFally working definiFons - the result of experience and the

contextual use of mediaFon, rather than being founded on a single, universally accepted,

definiFon. 176

There are two approaches of significant relevance, which dictate how mediaFon should be

defined, that is, the conceptualist approach and the descripJve approach. The conceptualist177

approachfocusesontheidealsofaprocess,soastocharacterisetheprocessbyitsidealvalues,

principles andobjecFves. DefiniFonsbasedon this approachhavehoweverbeen criFcisedor178

invalidatedfornotbeinganaccuratereflecFonoftheprocess.For instance,whileadefiniFonof

mediaFon,whichspecifiesthe‘improvementofrelaFonships’ ,mightapplytosomeinstancesof179

mediaFon, this isnot the casewithallmediaFons,parFcularlywhereprotecFng relaFonships is

not thegoalof theparFeswhocontrol theprocess. This research supports theview that the180

conceptualist approach, in focusingon ideals, hinders an accuratedefiniFonofmediaFon since,

deviaFonfromidealsisokenconsideredthenormratherthantheexcepFon.

An approach that looks at the pracFce of a process, rather than ideals, is the descripFve

approach. ThedescripFveapproachfocusesonthereality,mostlydisregardingnormsandrules,181

as it recognises that a flexible process, such asmediaFon, will inevitably lead to inaccuracy or

Baruch Bush RA et al The Promise of Mediation (2005) 174

Boulle L et al Mediation: Principles Process Practice(1997) 3175


Boulle L et al Mediation: Principles Process Practice (1997) 5177






valuesthatgounnoFced. ThedescripFveapproachishoweveralsonotwithoutshortcomings.182

Onesuchshortcoming isthatdefiniFonsstemmingfromthedescripFveapproachareokenvery

shortandnotoverlyhelpfulordescripFve. 183

AlthoughmediaFon is alreadyuFlised in the SouthAfricanADR landscape in the absenceof an

accepted, clear, definiFon, there are compelling reasons for a@empFng to find an official

definiFon. Should government decide to provide funding for mediaFon it will be important to

knowwhenparFes (thewho quesFon)will qualify forwhat typeofmediaFon intervenFon (the

what quesFon). A single accepted definiFon will also offer increased security and certainty to

peopleusingmediaFon.AdefiniFonshouldalsonotonly setoutwhatmediaFon isandwhat it

does,butalsowhatitshouldnotdo,sothatpeopleorinterestgroupscanbepreventedfromusing

mediaFonforownbenefitattheexpenseofsomeoneelse. 184

Notwithstanding the fact that no official definiFon of mediaFon exists, there are some core,

secondary, and variable features that have been idenFfied as underlying most mediaFon

processes.Core features provide thatmediaFon is a ‘decision-makingprogress, inwhichparFes

are assisted by a third-party, the mediator, who a@empts to improve the process of decision

making,andtoassisttheparFesreachanoutcometowhicheachofthemcanassent’. Itshould185

howeverbenotedthatmediaFonremainsadisputeresoluFonprocessandthatnotalldisputes

will ulFmately be resolved. As the parFes involved inmediaFon are acFvelyworking towards a

decision,BoulleaptlyarguesthatmediaFonisthusmoreaccuratelytobereferredtoasadecision-

makingprocess. 186

Secondary features relate to thevaluesandmoFves thatunderliemediaFon. Thesearemore187

idealisFc than core features andwill not necessarily be present in every instance ofmediaFon.

However,thenatureofmediaFonandthetheoreFcalbasisforitrecognisethatthesefeaturesas

desirable. MediaFon ideally brings clarity in order for the dispute resoluFon process to be

streamlined and to make it possible to decide on those issues that are most important. 188



Boulle L et al Mediation: Principles Process Practice(1997) 6–7184



Boulle L et al Mediation: Principles Process Practice(1997) 8-9187



MediaFon should also enhance the communicaFon between parFes and idenFty needs and

interests. Theprocess should take theparty concernsandapprehensions regarding the issues189

into account andwork on the premise of improving the relaFonship, rather than hampering it.

MediaFon should also support and assist the parFes to take a stand and make a decision

themselves.Inordertoachievethis,asecondaryfeaturemeansthattheprocessideallyequipsthe

parFeswithtechniquestodosoandtoturntheirfocustofindinganacceptablesoluFon. 190

VariablefeaturesarefeaturesthatlargelyrelatetotheparFesthemselvesand,differentfromcore

andsecondaryfeatures,cannotberegardedasanintrinsicpartofmediaFon. Variablefeatures191

includerelianceonthelawinmakingadecision,thechoiceofthemediator,andthestandingof

themediatedoutcome. 192

3.3.2Key(core)featuresofmedia'on

EventhoughmediaFonisorganisedtosomeextent,itlargelyremainsafairlyflexibleandinformal

processastheparFesareabletodecideonissues,suchaswhowillbeallowedtoa@end,which

issueswillbediscussed,andwheretheprocesswilltakeplace. Certainfeaturesarehoweverso193

significant to any mediaFon process that they may be classified as key, or core, features of

mediaFon.Whilesuch featuresarenot rigid, theyare ideally tobe regardedasguidelines tobe

followedas far aspossible. These featuresmaybe changedandadjustedby theparFcipaFng194

parFessothatthemediaFonbestsuitstheirneeds.Thisadjustabilityservesthepurposeofmaking

mediaFonsmoreaccessiblefortheparFesandlessinFmidaFng. 195

Thefirstof such core featuresofmediaFon is that theparFcipaFonofall parFes isessenFal. 196

ParFes canexpress themselves tooneanotherand to themediator,while retaining the right to

bargainandnegoFate.InaddiFon,parFesowntherighttomakeadecision. Thismeansthatthe197






Ade J et al Mediation und Recht (2017) 19194


Hösl G Mediation die erfolgreiche Konfliktlösung: Grundlagen und praktische Anwendung 196

(2006) 3 ed location 592

Beer EJ The Mediator’s Handbook (2012) 4 ed197


decision remains in the hands of the parFes. This conforms to the idea that parFesmust take

responsibilityfortheirchoicesaswellastheirdignityandautonomy.ParFcipaFonissaidtocreate

outcomesthatarebe@erreceivedbytheparFes,becausetheyhaveasenseofbeingresponsible

fortheoutcome.Inreality,however,parFcipaFonoftheparFesisnotalwaysasexpected. This198

canbetheresultofvariousvariablefactors,suchasignoranceoradvicefromlawyers.Generally,it

isdesirableforthelawyerstoencourageacFveparFcipaFon. 199

Secondly, inmediaFon any se@lement should be based on voluntary agreement. In reaching200

suchanagreement,legalrulesandnormscanbeconsulted;however,iftheparFesdecidenotto

considertherulesoflaw,thatremainswithintheirdiscreFon. DuringmediaFonparFesarealso201

able to consider and examine each other’s points of view, so decisions in mediaFon have the

potenFaltobefinelytunedtotheparFes’interests. 202

Thirdly,mediaFonisperson-centered. ThisisdifferentfromliFgaFonwhichiscentredaroundan203

actforwhichsomeonecanbeblamedandbeheldaccountablefor.MediaFondoesnothavethe

toolstoascertainwhathashappened;therefore,theparFesarenotencouragedtoconvincethe

mediator of certain facts. MediaFon rather concerns itself with the people and their current

situaFonasregardstotheircurrentneedsandinterests.Hence,these@lementshouldreflectan

improvementoftheinterestsandneedsoftheparFes. 204

Fourthly,and inaddiFonto theabove,mediaFon isalsorelaFonal. Thismeans that there isa205

human dimension to it. Ideally, mediaFon is aimed at improving the relaFonship between the

parFes.MethodsuFlisedduringmediaFonshouldincludetakingintoconsideraFontheemoFons

oftheparFesandacknowledgingthese;creaFngawarenessofeachparty’sneeds;implemenFng

construcFve negoFaFon; and humanising the management of conflict. Such a relaFonal206



Nolan K Mediation (2013) 39 Litig. 59200

Rabe C et al Mediation: Grundlagen, Methoden, rechtlicher Ramen (2014) Chapter 2.4201



Baruch Bush RA et al The Promise of Mediation (2005) Chapter 1204


Boulle L et al A Mediation: Principles Process Practice(1997) 37206


approachalsoindicatesthatmediaFonhasafuturefocus. ThisallowsforsomecreaFvefreedom207

with regard to the se@lement, e.g. tesFng an opFon for a while and then only deciding later

whether thisopFon is feasible.TheparFes thenhave thechoice toverify theagreement,make

amendmentsorcreateacompletelynewagreement. 208

Fikhly, and finally, mediaFon is private and confidenFal. Unlike an open court system,209

discussionsduringmediaFonarenotentered intopublic record,andmediaFonproceedingsare

notopenforthepublictoa@end,unlesstheparFesagreeotherwise.MediaFonisalsodoneona

‘withoutprejudice’basis,whichmeansthattheparFesmaynotuseinformaFonobtainedduring

mediaFoninacourtoflaw. However,confidenFalityisnotadefiningfeatureofmediaFonasthe210

legislaturemaysetlimitstowhenitisappropriate. 211

3.3.3Approachestomedia'on

There are generally three approaches to mediaFon that are most commonly used, namely,

transformaFve, facilitaFve, andevaluaFvemediaFon. Even though thereare slightdifferences212

betweenthethree,itdoesnotmeanthatamediaFoncannotuFlisemorethanoneapproach.This

isalsoinlinewiththefeatureofmediaFonbeingaflexibleprocess.

TransformaJvemediaJon isaimedathelpingparFestransformingtheirrelaFonship. Thefocus213

insuchaprocessisontheparFesandtheirneeds,asopposedtotheactualdispute.Theaimisfor

the parFes to engage with one another and to express themselves with the assistance of a

mediator.InSouthAfrica,transformaFvemediaFonismostcommonlyusedinsesngsthatinvolve

familymembers,communiFes,workrelaFonshipsandworkplacemediaFon. 214

FacilitaJvemediaJon is focused on finding a process that best suits the respecFve parFes and

their circumstances inorder toachievea se@lement. Themediatorwill choose theplaceand215

process;however,heorshedoesnotacFvelyinvolvehim-orherselfintheprocess.Themediator



Marnewick C Mediation Practice in the Magistrates’ Courts (2015) 14–16209

Marnewick C Mediation Practice in the Magistrates’ Courts (2015) 14–16210


Brand J et al Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2 ed 21-24212





merelysetsthegroundrules,butlimitshisorherroletothatofafacilitator. 216

EvaluaJvemediaJon sees themediator taking an acFve role in the process. Themediator is217

usuallyanexpertinthefieldoflawwithinwhichthemediaFonisconducted.SuchexperFseplaces

themediatorinaposiFontocommentandguideontheissues.Beinganexpert,themediatorwill

provide recommendaFons and guidance, aswell as an indicaFon regarding the posiFons of the

parFes. His or her experFse enables the mediator to evaluate arguments and point out

weaknesses and strengths. All of this assists the parFes in reaching an agreement. This type of

mediaFonisokenfoundinthebuildingandconstrucFonprofessions. 218

3.4Media'oninSouthAfrica

In South Africa, mediaFon can be either statutory or voluntary. Statutory mediaJon refers to

mediaFon that is required by law and regulated by statute.VoluntarymediaJon in turn, as the

namesuggests,happenson theparFes’ownaccord. TheparFesarenotcompelledby lawto219

mediate,andtheprocessitselfiscompletelywithinthehandsoftheparFes.

3.4.1Voluntarymedia'on

VoluntarymediaFon isdependentontheparFesandtheirrespecFvechoices.Theprocess itself,

the appointed mediator and the surrounding circumstances can be freely selected by the

parFes. Thishoweveralsomeansthatsincenopartyiscompelledtomediate,theycanabandon220

themediaFonprocessatanystage.

The decision tomediate is an important one, and the parFes should be aware of not only the

benefitsofmediaFon,butalsoofthedifferentastudesandapproachestowardssolvingdisputes.

ItshouldbeunderstoodthatmediaFonisastrategicprocessofworkingtogether,asopposedto

thewin–loseoutcomeofliFgaFon.

Aker it has been decided thatmediaFon is going to take place, the first step in the voluntary

mediaFonprocessisthepreparaFonphase. Thisphaseusuallyinvolvesstepstosetthetoneof221




Zylstra A The Road from Voluntary Mediation to Mandatory Good Faith Requirements: A Road 219

Best Left Untraveled (2001) 917 J. Am. Acad. Matrimonial Law. 69

Wiese T Alternative Dispute Resolution in South Africa (2016) 67220



the mediaFon and decisions regarding the form it is going to take. Ideally, this step should222

increasethechancesofreachinganagreement. IncludedinthisstageisthattheparFeshaveto223

appointamediator.InvoluntarymediaFontheparFesarefreetochooseamediator;however,itis

recommendedthattheytakeintoconsideraFontheexperienceandqualificaFonofthemediator.

InaddiFontoappoinFngamediator,theparFescanconcludeamediaFonagreementinwriFng.

WhilesuchmediaFonagreementisnotarequirement,itmightprovebeneficialasitlaysoutthe

groundrulesrelaFngtothemediaFon,andtheparFescanreferto itata laterstage.MediaFon

agreements can set out Fme frames, make provisions regarding the degree of confidenFality,

regulatethepowersofthemediator,setoutthedate(s)andFme(s)forthemediaFonprocess,the

venuewhere theprocesswill takeplace, aswell as theduFesof theparFes. The agreement224

might alsomake reference to informaFon exchange,whichmeans that it regulates that certain

documentsmust be sharedby the respecFveparFes asmeans of encouraging opendiscussion.

WhereparFesareunwillingtodiscloseinformaFon,anopFonwouldbetodiscloseinformaFonto

the mediator directly. PreparaFon could also involve preliminary meeFngs, which are largely

focusedonthemediaFonagreementandinformaFonexchange.IftheparFescannotagreeona

mediaFon agreement or choose not to make use of it, then organisaFonal ma@ers should be

agreeduponwiththehelpofthemediator. 225

BecauseofthebenefitsthatmediaFonpresents, itmightbetempFngtosuggestthatmediaFon

shouldbeusedforeverysortofdispute.Suchaviewhashoweverbeenheldtobetoofacile. 226

WherevoluntarymediaFonissuggestedbyonlyoneoftheparFes,itwouldbeprudentforlegal

counsel to advise the other party whether to agree to mediaFon based on the client’s best

interest. Althoughtheremightbeaclashofinterestbetweenthelawyerandtheclientinterms227

of legal fees (early se@lement during liFgaFon is generally associated with lower legal fees in

comparisontoprolongedliFgaFon),alawyerhasaprofessionaldutytoactinthebestinterestof

the client. It is therefore advisable for the parFes to analyse circumstances and to decide228






see: Van den Berg v Le Roux ([2003] ALL SA 599 (NC) or Brownlee v Brownlee: 2008/25274227



whetherthedisputeissuitableandripeformediaFon. 229

WhetheradisputeissuitableformediaFonisdependentonthesurroundingcircumstances.Most

disputes have the potenFal to be resolvedby agreement between the parFes, although certain

disputesremainbe@ersuitedformediaFonthanothers.WhenadisputeconcernsarelaFonship,

theconFnuaFonofwhichisimportant,parFesideallywanttostayincontroloftheoutcome. In230

addiFon, when both parFes have a good reason for the dispute, meaning that no party is

inherentlywrong and the dispute is largely due tomiscommunicaFon,while there is no power

difference,thenthema@erislikelytobesuitableformediaFon.Otherfactorsthatcouldinfluence

onthesuitabilityofthema@erformediaFonarema@erswhereaquickresoluFon is favoured, ,

wherecomplexissuesareinvolved,andwherecaselawhassetaprecedentwhichparFeswould

liketoavoid. 231

Ripeness refers to the best Fme for a dispute to be resolved by mediaFon. In voluntary232

mediaFon parFes are able to decide themselves when to mediate. MediaFon can generally

commenceeitherbeforeorakerformalcourtproceedingshavebeen insFtuted. It ishowever233

favourable to commence the process before the commencement of legal proceedings as that

would result in lower costs. On the other hand, it can be argued thatmediaFon benefits from

somesortofpreviousadversarialconflict.ThisallowsforparFestoridthemselvesofhardfeelings

thathaveaccumulatedoverFme.SuchanapproachmighthoweverbecounterproducFvewhereit

reinforcesthehardfeelingsbetweentheparFesandincreasesemoFons.InaddiFon,atthisstage,

parFesmightbemoreawareof theconsequencesrelatedto liFgaFonasopposedtomediaFon,

whichcouldpromptthemtobemoreagreeable. AriskassociatedwithproposingmediaFontoo234

earlycouldbethattheotherpartymightseeitasasignofweaknessandthattheproposingparty

expectstoloseincourt.ThiscanthenhaveanegaFveinfluenceonmediaFon,astheotherparty

might have high expectaFons for an agreed se@lement. Therefore, in order to determine235

whethertheFmeisripe,oneneedstotakevariousfactorsintoconsideraFon.







Brand J et al Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2 ed 60/61235


3.4.2Statutorymedia'on

There are currently around 50 Acts of Parliament that refer to mediaFon in South Africa. 236

Mandatory(orstatutory)mediaJonrequiresparFestogothroughmediaFonfirstbeforetheycan

approach a court. Should no agreement come from this, then there is nothing prevenFng the

parFesfromgoingtohavetheirdisputeresolvedincourt. 237

Whatwillbediscussedbelow isstatutorymediaFonasprovidedfor inSouthAfrican labour law,

familylawandcompanylaw,threeareasoflawinwhichmediaFonismostcommonlyencountered

inSouthAfrica.

3.4.2.1TheLabourRela'onsAct66of1995(LRA)andtheCommissionforConcilia'onMedia'on

andArbitra'on(CCMA)

MediaFon is regarded as a form of conciliaFon under the LRA. In parFcular, secFon 135(3)

prescribesmediaFonasoneofthreewaysinwhichaconciliatormaydecidetodealwithama@er

thathasbeenreferredforconciliaFon. Assuch,mediaFonasaformofconciliaFonconducted238

undertheauspicesofsecFon135(3)isdiscussedbelow. StatutorymediaFonhastheadvantage239

of compelling parFes to engage in mediaFon, with the result that parFes might be more

commi@edtofindingasoluFon.

The CCMAwas created through the LRA as a result of the shortcomings experienced with the

formerindustrialcourts. Whiletheformerindustrialcourtswereoriginallyintendedtobeeasily240

accessibleandtoresolvedisputesatafastpaceandatlowcost,thoseobjecFveswerenotmet. 241

Thelegislaturea@emptedtoaddresssuchissuesbyprovidingforthecreaFonoftheCCMAunder

theauspicesof theLRA.Consequently, theCCMA isa creatureof statuteandmayonlyoperate

underprescribedcondiFons. 242

StatutoryconciliaFonisregulatedbytheCCMAonlywheresoprovidedforintheLRA.Issuesthat


Brand J Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2ed 47237

Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 section 135(3)238


South Africa 22 Ann. Hum. Rts. Rep. Submitted to Cong. by U.S. Dep't St. 316 (1997) 326240

Bosch C, ‘Abantu Badidekele – When must an applicant prove that he is an employee?’, (2010) 241

31 ILJ 809 810


31 ILJ 809 809http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

fall under the jurisdicFon of the CCMA for purposes of conciliaFon are, amongst others, the

disclosure of informaFon; issues relaFng to the interpretaFon of applicaFon of a collecFve

agreement if agreed and the procedure fails; enforcement of a council’s collecFve agreement;

dismissalinthecontextofaclosedshopagreement;unfairdismissal;andunfairlabourpracFcesin

relaFontoprobaFon. 243

Forama@ertobeconciliatedbeforetheCCMA,thedisputemustbeone intherealmof labour

lawasprovidedforintheLRA.AstheCCMAisacreatureofstatute,thejurisdicFonoftheCCMA

flows from the fact that a ma@er is one involving an employment relaFonship. This bears the

noFonthataconciliatormustfirstestablishwhetherthema@ertobeconciliatedfallswithinthe

jurisdicFonoftheCCMA.Thishastobedoneearlyonintheprocess. 244

TheaimofconciliaFonisfortheparFestose@letheirdisputebyreachingamutuallyacceptable

agreement through theassistanceof theconciliator. Theconciliatorhoweverdoesnothaveany

power to force the parFes to se@le ama@er. At the end of a conciliaFon process in which no

se@lementwas reached, a cerFficateof outcomewill be awarded,which shows the exact issue

thatwasdiscussedandthatthea@empttose@lewasmeaningful. 245

Different to privatemediaFon, the parFes do not agree on amediator and date, as the CCMA

provides for those issues. An advantage however is that the costs are usually covered by the

CCMA.DespitethefactthatthegoalissimplicityandeffecFveness,thefactthattheconciliatorhas

tomakeafindingontheemploymentrelaFonship,couldhoweverbecomeproblemaFc. Itmay246

rendertheprocessmoreformalthannormallyassociatedwithmediaFon.

3.4.2.2CompaniesAct71of2008

StatutorymediaFonisalsoprovidedforintheCompaniesAct. ThattheCompaniesActprovides247

formediaFonandcanbelinkedtoafindinginthe’GuidelinesforCorporateLawReform’, which248

recognisesthattheforegoingrulesregulaFngcorporaterightswereintricate. Inordertoremedy249

Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 section 133(1), 9, 21, 24, 69, 86243


31 ILJ 809 813

Bosch C The Conciliation and Arbitration Handbook (2004) 70 – 80 Chapter 7245


31 ILJ 809 813

Companies Act 71 of 2008247

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bills/040715companydraftpolicy.pdf248



thestatusquo,itwassuggestedthatalessformalisFcapproachshouldbetaken,inordertoallow

parFesamorereadilyavailablemannertofindrecourse. InaddiFon,theInsFtuteofDirectors in

SouthernAfrica(IoDSA)includedparagraph81inthe‘CodeonCorporateGovernance’ .Itstates250

that it is essenFal for directors and execuFves that disputes be resolved in a manner that is

effecFve,expediFousandefficient. Theneeds,interestsandrightsofemployeesmustbetaken251

intoconsideraFon,andadisputeresoluFonsystemshouldnotworkinamannerthatexhauststhe

finances of the company. Paragraph 84 of the Code provides insight on how this can be

implemented,andexplainsthatreferraltoacourtortoarbitraFonmaynotbethebestmanner

concerningtheabove-menFonedfactors.Theparagraphhighlights the importanceofmediaFon,

andthat ithastheabilitytoenhancetherelaFonship. TheCompaniesAct, whichcameinto252 253

effectin2008,tookthisintoconsideraFonandallowsfordisputestoberesolvedthroughADR. 254

TheActalsospecifiesinsecFon15(6)thattheMemorandumofIncorporaFon(MOI)isbindingon

the parFes. Therefore, theMOI could be used as the basis for using mediaFon in commercial

disputes.As longastheMOIprescribesthatmediaFonmustbeusedbeforeanyothermeansof

dissolvingthedispute,thiswillbeenforceable. 255

Furthermore,secFon156oftheCompaniesActprovidesthatcorporatedisputescanberesolved

through dispute resoluFon as an alternaFve to going to the Companies Commission or the

court. According to the Act, a party to a dispute could approach the Companies Tribunal, an256

accreditedenFtyoranyotherperson. TheparFesarethenrequiredtomediate;however,there257

isnoprovisionintheActwhichrequirestheparFestotakepartinthemediaFoningoodfaith. 258

WhenthemediatordoesnotseeanymeritinthemediaFonorcomestotheconclusionthatone

oftheparFes isnottakingpart ingoodfaith,acerFficatehastobeissuedbyhimorherstaFng

www.iodsa.co.za250

Brand et al Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2ed 7251

Brand et al Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2ed 7252


Wiese T The use of alternative dispute resolution methods in corporate disputes: The 254

provisions of the Companies Act 2008 (2014) SAMLJ




Companies Act 71 of 2008 section 166(1) 258


http://www.iodsa.co.za

thatthemediaFondidnotresolvethedispute. 259

ThewordingintheCompaniesActspeaksofmediaFonasanalternaFvetocourtproceedings.This

suggeststhat,wherethemediaFonwasunsuccessful,theparFesarebarredfromapproachingthe

Tribunalorthecourts. However,thisisunlikelytohavebeentheintenFonofthelawmaker,asit260

would mean that non-cooperaFon would result in a situaFon where the ma@er remains

unresolved, which could even be the result of bad faith or non-engagement in the mediaFon

process. Amore likely interpretaFonwouldbeonethat is similar to theapproachof theLRA.261

ParFescouldmediatepriortogoingtothecourts,butwherethemediaFonisnotsuccessful,the

parFescango to thecourts. Despite that, theCompaniesAmendmentBillof2018states that262

wherethemediaFonprocesshasbeenunsuccessful,oneoftheparFescouldreferthema@erto

arbitraFon,whereitwillberesolvedbywayofafinalandbindingfindingofthearbitrator. 263

3.4.2.3Familymedia'on

MediaFoninfamilylawhasbecomeincreasinglyrelevantinSouthAfricasincethe1990s. There264

havebeenanumberofdecisionsbythecourtswhichareworthtakingnoteof.InTownsend-Turner

vMorrow, thecourtwasapproachedtograntanorderfortherightofaccess.TheapplicaFon265

wasmadebythegrandmotherandherhusbandregardingtheirgrandchild.Thechild’smother–

whowasthegrandmother’sdaughter–diedofcancer,whichresultedinthechildgrowingupwith

the father. Thepresidingofficer ruled that theapplicaFon shouldbedismissedandordered the

[email protected] jusFfiedthisdecisionbymenFoningthatmediaFonwouldassist

theparFesindealingwithfutureconflictsandtohandleit inamannerthatdoesnotjeopardise

thebestinterestofthechild. 266

TheTownsend-Turnerma@erwasdecidedpriortothecommencementoftheChildren’sAct. The267

Companies Act 71 of 2008 section 166(2) 259

Wiese T Alternative Dispute Resolution in South Africa (2016) 95-96260



Companies Amendment Bill 2018263

MacNab DS Mowatt JG Family Mediation – South Africa's Awakening Interest (1987) 20 De 264

Jure 41

Townsend-Turner and Another v Morrow (524/2003, 6055/2003) (2003) ZAWCHC 53265

Townsend-Turner and Another v Morrow (524/2003, 6055/2003) (2003) ZAWCHC 53266

Children’s Act 38 of 2005267


Children’sAct(secFon7(1))nowprovidesthataChildren’sCourtcanreferama@ertomediaFon

wherethecircumstancesallowforit.Thema@ercanalsobedirectedtomediaFonwheretheissue

inquesFoniswhetheranunmarriedbiologicalfatherhasfulfilledtherequirementsintermsofs

21(1)oftheAct. IntermsoftheAct,themediatorhastobeasuitablyqualifiedperson,asocial268

serviceprofessional,orafamilyadvocate. TheActfurthersFpulatesthatco-holdersofparental269

responsibiliFesandrightsfirsthavetotrytoagreeonaparenFngplanbeforeproceedingtocourt.

Ina@empFngtoagreeonaparenFngplan,theparFeshavetogotomediaFon. Thisdoesnot270

meanthattheyhavetocompletethemediaFonsuccessfully;however,theActemphasisesthatan

a@empthastobemade. Acourtalsohasthepowertodoapre-hearing,wheretheya@emptto271

mediatebetweentheparFes.

AkerthecommencementoftheChildren’sAct,therehavebeennumerousdecisionsbythecourts

thatrefertomediaFon.InBrownleevBrownlee, theJohannesburgHighCourtimposedthecosts272

of liFgaFonontheparFes’ lawyers,as theyhad failedtoadvise theparFes tomediate. InMBv

NB, thepresidingofficercommentedthatthemoneyspentbythedispuFngparFesona@orney273

fees could have been put to be@er use, indicaFng that it could have contributed towards the

educaFonofthechildreninquesFon.Thepresidingofficerstated:

‘IaskedherwhethertheresoluFonofthecasethroughmediaFonhadbeenmootedby

her legal advisers. She said it had not, but shewent on to explain that she thought

mediaFonwouldhaveservednopurpose.ThoughthiswasherresponsetoaquesFon

putbyme,itisulFmatelyama@eronwhich,notbeinganexpert,shecanentertainno

informedbelief.’ 274

Thepresidingofficerruledthathebelievedthatthelegalcounselfailedtomaketheclientsaware

The requirements for the father to acquire full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of 268

the child are that: I) that the unmarried father lived with the mother at the time of the child’s birth or that he II) consents to being identified as such III) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute to child’s upbringing for reasonable period III) contributes or has attempted in faith to contribute towards expenses in connection with the maintenance of the child for a reasonable period

Boniface A Family Mediation in South Africa: Developments and Recommendations (2015) 78 269

THRHR 397

Children’s Act 38 of 2005 S32(2)270

Boniface A Family Mediation in South Africa: Developments and Recommendations (2015) 78 271

THRHR 397

Brownlee v Brownlee (2008) 25274272

MB v NB (2008/25274) (2009) ZAGPJHC 76; 2010 (3) SA 220 (GSJ)273

MB v NB (2008/25274) (2009) ZAGPJHC 76; 2010 (3) SA 220 (GSJ) para 50274


of thebenefits thatmediaFonwouldhavegrantedthemandthat theclients’best interestshad

notbeenserved.Hethenwentontolimitthefeesofthelawyersasaconsequencefortheirfailure

toinformtheclientsproperly.

TheaforesaidcasesrepresentthechangethatneedstotakeplaceinthelegalworldinSouthAfrica

inasfarasADR,andinparFcularmediaFon,isconcerned.ManyresourcesandFmeareneedlessly

spentonliFgaFon,whenmediaFoncouldbeconsultedfirst.ItalsoshowshowmediaFonreceives

endorsement from the courts. This could gradually lead to changes. As stated by Brassey in

commenFngontheMB v NB judgement:“mediaFonwasthebe@eralternaFveanditshouldhave

been tried.” Referring to itas thebe\eralternaJvedemonstrates that family law isespecially275

suitableformediaFon.

TheaforesaidviewwasalsosupportedinSvJ. ThepresidingofficernotedthatliFgaFonshould276

nothavebeenthefirstchoiceinthema@erandthatliFgaFonisnotautomaFcallythebestwayof

resolvingfamilydisputes.Accordingtohim,liFgaFonresultedinthema@erbeingprolonged,while

alsocreaFngburdensomecoststhatcouldhavebeenavoided.HereferredtosecFon6(4)ofthe

Children’s Act to enforce the view that legal pracFFoners should opt for the dispute resoluFon

mechanismthatavoidsconfrontaFonandsupportsconciliaFon. Thesecasestouchontheissue277

thata@orneyssomeFmesarenotadvisingtheirclientstopursuemediaFon.

Bonifacerecommendsthat,inordertobringaboutchanges,itwouldbebeneficialtosetupfamily

relaFonshipcentres,asthoseopposedtocourt-annexedmediaFonwouldtakeawaytheurgency

to go through courts and lawyers to resolve a dispute. It could also contribute to a legal278

environment thatdoesnotnecessarily view the courts as thefirst pointof call. A good starFng

pointwouldbetosetupthesecentresatplacessuchaslegalaidclinicsanduniversiFes,asthose

places are accessible and already well known to the public. SuchmediaFon centres could also

serve as training faciliFes for mediators, while encouraging pro bono work from psychologists,

lawyers and social workers. The benefits would include dispute resoluFon to lower-income279

MB v NB (2008/25274) (2009) ZAGPJHC 76; 2010 (3) SA 220 (GSJ) para 59275

S v J (695/10) (2010) ZASCA 139276

S v J (695/10) (2010) ZASCA 139 para 54277

Boniface A, Family Mediation in South Africa: Developments and Recommendations (2015) 78 278

THRHR 397 406


THRHR 397 406http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

groups,whilealsoprovidinganalternaFvetoprivatemediaFonforhigher-incomegroups. 280

3.5Conclusion

This chapter discussed some of the key characterisFcs of mediaFon as well as the different

approaches tomediaFon. The chapter a@empted to demonstrate how the theoreFcal basis for

mediaFon isapproached inSouthAfrica.TherearemanyadvantagestomediaFon,suchas, that

thesoluFonreachedisokenmoreinlinewiththeneedsandwantsoftheparFes.Theprocessis

flexible,andconsequentlyamediaFonprocesscouldbeheldinawayandataFmethatsuitthe

conflictandtheparFes.Furthermore,mediaFonisconfidenFalandhasahumandimension,which

thecourtsystemdoesnothave.ThisenablesmediaFontoapproachconflictinamannerthathas

thepotenFaltoreconciletheparFesandmakethemagreeable.

MediaFonisappliedwithdifferingdegreesofsuccess invariousfields inSouthAfrica,notably in

family-, company-, and labour law. From the few cases discussed, it however seems as if legal

professionalsandthegeneralpublicalikeremainlargelyunawareofthebenefitsofmediaFon,and

in fact the availability of mediaFon as an alternaFve to liFgaFon. Simply on that account,

mediaFon centres as suggested by Boniface in the realm of family law would present an281

opportunity to educate and inform the public, so that they are more aware of the opFon of

mediaFon.

The next chapter will focus onmediaFon in Germany. Similar to this chapter, chapter four will

discussthe lawsandrulesrelaFngtomediaFon inGermany,aswellas thefields inwhich ithas

beenimplemented.


THRHR 397 406


THRHR 397 406http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

Chapter4:Media'oninGermany

This chapterwilldiscuss theprocessofmediaFonand itsapplicaFon in selectedfieldsof law in

Germany.

4.1Briefoverviewofdevelopmentofmedia'oninGermany

MediaFoninGermanyhasbeenpracFcedasfarbackasthe14thcentury. TheearliestmediaFon282

projectsthatwereimplementedinGermanyoccurredduringthe1980s.TheyweremostlyuFlised

indivorceproceedingsaswellas ina@empts toachieveaTäter-Opfer-Ausgleich,which refers to

creaFng a se@lement between the perpetrator and the vicFm. This stems from the idea of283

restoraFve jusFce. Also, the Jugendgerichtsgesetz (Juvenile Criminal Code) of 1953284 285

incorporatedintothelawaprovisionthatwouldallowtheprosecuFontostopformalprocedures

wheretheperpetratorwasopentoreconciliaFonwiththevicFm. 286

In 1992 the first mediaFon associaFons, i.e., the Bundesverband MediaJon and the Bundes-

Arbeitsgemeinscha`fürFamilien-MediaJon,wereestablished. Fouryearslaterin1996another287

mediaFon associaFon, the Bundesverband MediaJon in Wirtscha` und Arbeitswelt, was

established, mostly focusing on commercial and labour mediaFon. The aforesaid associaFons

worked closely together in order to create a certain standard of quality for mediaFons and

mediators alike. However, numerous smaller mediaFon associaFons were subsequently288

founded,eachwith itsownapproachandvoice towardsmediaFon.Recently therehashowever

been an upsurge in the effort by the original three mediaFon associaFons towards the

establishmentofaunifiedstandardof,andapproachto,mediaFon. 289

Hoffmann A Mediation in Germany and the United States (2007) 9 Eur. J.L. Reform 505282

Trenczek T et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 69283


Jugendgerichtsgesetz 1953285






Amendments were effected to the Strafprozessordnung (Code of Criminal Procedure) ,290

Strafgesetzbuch (Criminal Code) and the Jugendgerichtsgetz (Juvenile JusFce Act) in the291 292

1990s,whichprovidedfordisputeresoluFonoutsideofthecourtsinthefieldsofcriminalandcivil

law. In 1999 the Einführungsgesetz zur Zivilprozessordnung (Introductory Act to the Civil293

ProcedureCode)was also amendedwith federal statebeingafforded thediscreFon toestablish

obligatorydisputeresoluFon.Paragraph15oftheEinführungsgesetzzurZivilprozessordnunggives

thefederalstatethepowertoreferdispuFngparFestonegoFaFonoutsideofthecourtroom.The

Actishoweveronlyapplicabletodisputesthatdealwithamonetaryamountupto750euros. 294

In 2001 an amendment to theZivilprozessordnung (Codeof Civil Procedure) came into effect295

which allowed the courts the right to suspend an acFve case so as to afford the parFes the

opportunitytose@letheirdisputesoutsideofthecourtroombywayofADR. AnevaluaFonwas

donetodeterminetheeffecFvenessofthesenewprovisions, which evaluaFonfoundthatthe296

provisions had very li@le impact in pracFce and did not bring about the intended and desired

changes.Itwasfoundthattheprovisionswererarelyusedanddidnotmeaningfullyincreasethe

possibilityofase@lementoutsideofcourtproceedings. 297

Between 2002 and 2012 some federal states pracFcedmediaFon in the courts (gerichtsinterne

MediaJon). AlthoughmediaFonsby the courts indicatedhigh rates ofma@ers that hadbeen298

dealtwithinthisway,mediaFoninthecourtsremainscontroversial.Ithasbeenarguedthatthis

typeofmediaFon isunable todiscussandanalyse the conflict fullydue to factors suchasFme

pressure and the expectancy of the court to work through a certain number of disputes in a

prescribed Fme. This had a negaFve effect on the ability to analyse and assess the underlying

problemsonwhichthedispute isbased. For theaforemenFonedreasons ithasbeenargued299

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/StPO.pdf290

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgb/291

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/jgg/BJNR007510953.html292

Einführungsgesetz zur Zivilprozessordnung 1877293


Zivilprozessordnung 1877295



Trenczek T et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 69-71298



thatmediaFonsbycourtsarenotcomprehensiveinthattheyfailtocomprehensivelydiscussthe

causesandissuesofthedispute. 300

In 2009 the Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der

freiwilligenGerichtsbarkeit (Actontheprocedureinfamilyma@ersandonma@ersofvoluntary301

jurisdicFon) came into effect which promoted the use of ADR, especially in respect of ma@ers

involvingfamiliesandchildren. ThecourtshavethedutytoadvisetheparFesonthepossibiliFes302

ofADR [email protected], thecourtshave thepower toorder the families toa@end

eventseducaFng themaboutmediaFon. TheActhoweverdoesnot createanobligaFonon the

parFestoa@endmediaFonitself. 303

In 2012, the MediaJonsgesetz (MediaFon Act) was passed which specifically regulates304

mediaFoningeneral,regardlessofthefieldoflawwithinwhichmediaFonistakingplace. 305

4.2Selectedissuesonmedia'oninGermany

ThediscussionbelowwilldealwithsomeissuesthatareofrelevancewhendiscussingmediaFonin

Germany.

4.2.1WhomayworkasamediatorinGermany?

In Germany the term Berufsrecht (professional law) refers to the laws that prescribe who is306

allowedtopracFceinacertainfieldandtherulesthatapracFFonerhastouphold.Thishasthe

effect that justasnoteveryonecan simplydecide tobeadoctorora lawyer,noteveryonecan

simplydecidetobeamediator. ApersonhastobesufficientlyqualifiedinordertopracFcein307

thesefields. 308


Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen 301

Gerichtsbarkeit 2009



Mediationsgesetz 2012304


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/brao/306

Berning D Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 452307

Berning D Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 452308


The quesFon arises whether mediaFon should be considered legal advice for purposes of the

Berufsrecht. IntermsoftheBerufsrechtpeoplewhoarenot lawyersarenotallowedtorendera

legalservice. ThismeansthatifmediaFonisconsideredalegalservice,thenonlylawyerswould309

beallowedtorendersuchservice.Claritywasbroughtonthisma@erbywayoftheLegalServices

Actof2008, whichsFpulatesthatmediaFonandothertypesofADRdonotconsFtutea legal310

service.Amediator’sduFesaretofacilitateandsupporttheparFes,ratherthanrenderingalegal

service. 311

While clarity in respect of the above was welcomed, the downside was that, technically, any

personwas consequently allowed to call him- or herself amediator inGermany. In 2012 the312

legislatureintroducedthetermcerJfiedmediator(zerJfiziertermediator)intoGermanlawbyway

of theMediaJonsgesetz of 2012 (MediaFon Act). This was largely in an a@empt to create a313

universalapplicablestandardtomediators.Noteverymediatorisallowedtocallhim-orherselfa

cerJfiedmediator.InordertobecomecerFfiedonehastocomplywiththerelevantcriteriaasset

out inZerJfizierte-Mediatoren-Ausbildungsverordnung (CerFfiedMediatorTrainingOrdinance). 314

This includes an educaFonal course that requires the parFcipant’s a@endance for at least 120

hours. This course shouldnotonlybe theoreFcalbutalso containpracFcalelements, suchas315

roleplays.AddiFonally,apersonhastodoonemediaFonwithinayearofcompleFngthecourse

andthismediaFonhastofallwithinthedefiniFonofamediaFonintermsoftheMediaJonsgesetz

of2012(MediaFonAct). OncesocerFfied,apersonmustspend40hoursonfurtheringhisor316

herlevelofexperFseandeducaFonovera4-yearperiodinordertoretaincerFficaFon. 317

Lawyerswhowanttoactasmediatorsfurtheralsohavetocomplywiththeprofessionalconduct

of lawyers, which is codified in the Berufsordnung der Rechtsanwälte (Professional Code of318


Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz 2008 310

Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz 2008 311

https://www.in-mediation.eu/wer-darf-sich-mediator-nennen/312

See discussion of this Act under 4.3.1 below.313

http://188.210.44.216/zmediatausbv/BJNR199400016.html314

https://www.mediatorenausbildung.org/zertifizierter-mediator/315

See discussion of this Act under 4.3.1 below.316

https://www.mediatorenausbildung.org/zertifizierter-mediator/317

Berufsordnung der Rechtsanwälte 2017318


Lawyers). TheAct prescribes that a lawyerwhowishes to act as amediator alsohas to receive

suitable training, which equips him or her with enough knowledge to be in command of the

principlesofmediaFon. 319

4.2.2Roleofthemediator

Ithasalreadybeenestablishedthatthemediator’sroleisthatofintermediary,whostructuresthe

procedure and guides the parFes. This involves creaFng the surrounding circumstances that320

facilitate successfulmediaFon to take place, and using tools such as seaFng arrangements and

encouraging construcFve communicaFon. A mediator’s role is ulFmately to establish an321

atmosphere andprocess to enable parFes to engage in communicaFon, so that theparFes can

cometoanagreementoveranissuewhichtheywerepreviouslyunabletoreachagreementon. 322

Themediatorshouldideallybeatrainedandknowledgeablepersonwhokeepsaneyenotonlyon

immediateneedsoftheparFesinvolved,butalsoonfuturerequirements. 323

Theunderstandingofwhatagoodmediatoriscandiffervastly.Whatisclearisthatitfallsoutside

ofthepowersofamediatortodecideonama@er. Agoodmediatorhastheabilitytoguidethe324

parFes towards a common denominator, so that both sides to the dispute can appreciate the

posiFonand interestsof theotherside. Somepeoplemightgo tomediaFonwithoutanyreal325

expectaFons;othersunderstandthemediator’sroleasoneofago-between;yetotherexpectthe

mediator to listen to both sides and then make a recommendaFon, while some might view a

mediatorasaneutralpersonwhoshouldnotgivehisorherviewbutsimplyfacilitate. Noneof326

theseviewsarewrongperse.Itcomesdowntothechoicesthemediatormakesandwhatheor

shethinkswillbenefitthemediaFonmost.Theprocessthatamediatorchoosesatthebeginning

of the mediaFon does not even necessarily need to be kept the same since it is a dynamic

process. 327

Berufsordnung der Rechtsanwälte 2017319

Proksch S Mediation: Die Kunst der Professionellen Konfliktlösung (2018) chapter 3320


Kreuser K et al Mediationskompetenz: Mediation als Profession Etablieren (2012) 69322

Purver EM The Mediator's Responsibilities (1958) 9 Lab. L.J. 800323

Duve C et al Mediation in der Wirtschaft (2011) 87-88324


Duve C et al Mediation in der Wirtschaft (2011) 88326



Riskin proposed a grid that a@empts to idenFfy different mediaFon styles and within which

circumstances a specific style would be best suited. The Riskin grid contains four styles of328

mediaFon:evaluaJvenarrow, facilitaJvenarrow,evaluaJvebroad,and facilitaJvebroad.Based

on these, the grid can be used to place amediaFon to see whether the problem definiFon is

narrow or broad andwhether themediator’s role should be evaluaFve or facilitaFve. It should

howeverbeunderstoodthattheidenFfiedstylesareidealisFcversionsofmediaFonstyles.

EvaluaJve narrow is similar to the way in which judges and lawyers operate. The mediator329

focusesontheinterpretaFonoflawsandfactualquesFons.HeorshewilllistentotheparFesand

thenexplainhisorhertakeonthema@er.Heorshecanbeseenasasortofrefereewhoisoken

anexpertonthema@erspresented.Themediatorwillalsoexplaintheweaknessesandstrengths

of the posiFons that the parFes take. This contributes towards a soluFon as the mediator330

providesaneutral,butinformed,insight.

EvaluaJvebroadreferstoasituaFonwheretheparFesrequirethebiggerpictureofthedisputeto

betakenintoconsideraFonandwantthemediatortomakeasuggesFonforaresoluFonbasedon

allcircumstancesandfactors. ThisapproachevaluatestheinterestsoftheparFesfullyandthen331

proceedstoa@emptfindingasoluFonthatindicatesanappreciaFonoftheinquiry.Inorderforthe

mediatortomakeawell-informedsuggesFonwithregardtoase@lement,heorshehastobewell

informedandinvolved. 332

FacilitaJvenarrowmeansthatthemediatordecidesnottomakeasuggesFonwithregardtothe

se@lement. Asthenamesuggests,themediatorhastofacilitatebetweentheparFes.Heorshe333

actsasafacilitatorbetweentheparFesandinordertodojusFcetothatrolethemediatorwillask

quesFonsthatassistinthediscourse. CreaFnganenvironmentthatisconducFvetomediaFonis334

thereforepartofthemediator’sduty.

Riskin L Decisionmaking in Mediation: The New Old Grid and the New New Grid System (2003) 328

Notre Dame Law Review Volume 79 Issue 1











FacilitaJve broad goes further than the facilitaJve narrow ideal and requires the mediator to

analyse the dispute with the parFes fully. The mediator has to assist the parFes by asking335

quesFons that lead them to examine their posiFons and interests. Furthermore, the mediator

facilitates between the parFes by prescribing a process that is goal-oriented and presents

opportuniFestocometoanagreement.

InpracFcethedifferenFaFonbetweenthevarioustypesofmediaFonstylesisnotalwaysclear.It

isactuallyasignofagoodmediatortoseewhatthesituaFonandprogressrequiresandtoemploy

morethanoneofthesestylesduringvariousstages.AnevaluaFonwitharecommendaFoncanbe

thestarFngpointforfurtherdiscussion,inwhichthemediaFonengagesasafacilitator. 336

Aside fromunderstanding thedifferent approaches to, or styles of,mediaFon, there are certain

characterisFcsamediatorshoulddisplay.Amediatorhastoshowempathyforandacceptanceof

theparFes. ThosevalueswillindicatetotheparFesthattheyarebeingtakenseriously. This337 338

contributes towards building trust and confidence with the parFes which is regarded as an

imperaFve to successful mediaFon. Tools that the mediator could use to build more trust are

showingconcern,providingasserFons,andexplainingtheprocess. SuccessofmediaFonisalso339

largely dependent on trust between the parFes and the mediator. Nonetheless, during

proceedingsitcanoccurthatthemediatorisperceivedasbiasedbyoneoftheparFes. Itisthen340

necessaryforthemediatortorecFfythesituaFonandtrytoexplainhisorherrole,aswellasto

account forhisorher imparFality. Themediator shouldnot take sides,but should treatboth341

parFesequal. This canalsobe reflecFveofopen-mindedness concerning factsand the interests

andneedsoftheparFesinvolved. 342

GoodawarenessisanothercharacterisFcofbeingagoodmediator. ParFesmayfindthemselves343

inaposiFonwherethesuperior intellectorabilityofonepartytopresenthisorhersideofthe





Ade J et al Mediation und Recht (2017) 53-54339






conflictwillputthatpartyinabe@erposiFon,notduetofactuallybeinginabe@erposiFon,but

only due to personal skills and techniques. Awareness of these differences in personaliFes344

allowsthemediatortoempowerthepartythatcannotexpresshim-orherselfproperly.Although

themediatorinsuchasituaFonhastoaddressthepowerimbalance,heorshehastobecareful

not to breach imparFality. Paying a@enFon to equal speaking Fme, enforcing the same345

mediaFon guidelines, having separate meeFngs and exchanging informaFon can be used to

protectandstrengthentheweakerparty. 346

Themediatorregulatestheprocess,opensthemediaFonsessions,andsFpulatesguidelinesand

rules with which the parFesmust comply. Hence, the role of themediator is also that of a347

coordinator.He or she also has to be able to analyse the posiFons, needs and conflict that are

beingdealtwith.Beyondthat,amediatorneedstobeabletolistenacFvely,reframe,understand,

reflectandfindtherightFmingtotransiFonfromonephasetothenext.Itisokenrequiredand

helpful if the mediator has a certain knowledge and educaFon in various fields, such as law,

mediaFon, conflict and acFve communicaFon. In some circumstances, such as commercial

mediaFon,itishelpfulandrequiredofthemediatortohavevastexperienceandknowledgeina

field,suchascontractsinthebuildingindustry. 348

Mediators clearly require a variety of skills, and the skills and techniques appropriate in one

mediaFonmightnotnecessarilybeappropriate inanother.Nonetheless, it seemsapparent that

themediator’sroleisinformedbytheconceptoffairness.

4.3Medita'oninselectedfieldsinGermany

ThediscussionbelowwillfocusonmediaFoninselectedfieldsinGermany.Thiswillcontributetoa

latercomparisonbetweenmediaFoninGermanyandSouthAfrica.

4.3.1Media'onActof2012

In2012theMediaJonsgesetzwasenactedinGermany.TheActgovernsmediaFoninGermanyas

a whole; therefore, it is applicable to all fields of law (even those fields where mediaFon is

legislaFvelyrequired).ThewayinwhichtheActworksisthatitsetsaspecificstandardwhichhas







tobemet.ItdoesnotnecessarilyprescribewhenmediaFonhastobeused,butratherregulates

thesurroundingcircumstancesandduFes,suchastheduFesofthemediator. 349

According to secFon 1 of theMediaJonsgesetzmediaFon is a structured process,which assists

parFes with communicaFon and negoFaFon. This does not howevermean that mediaFon is a

flexibleprocess,sinceaflexibleprocesscansFllhavecertainstructuralcharacterisFcs. However,350

secFon1placesthedutyonthemediatortoinformtheparFesaboutthecontent,theprocessand

the goals ofmediaFon. Themediator also has the duty to exert his or her influence on the351

mediaFon agreement, so that ruleswith regard to the parFes’ conduct and communicaFon are

included. In addiFon, a mediator contract is required which is expected to encapsulate the352

expectaFonsoftheparFesandthemediator,aswellasconfirmingthemediator’sprofessionalfee

andconfidenFality. ConfidenFalityisincludedasitallowstheparFestoshareinformaFonthat353

theyotherwisewouldbereluctanttoshare.Therefore,itisimportantthattheActspecifythatitis

aconfidenFalprocess. 354

InGermanytherighttoself-determinaFonisanimportantelementofmediaFonand,assuch,the

ActspecifiesthatmediaFonisavoluntaryprocess. There isanargumenttobemadethatthis355

eliminatesthepossibilityforcourtstodirectparFestomediaFon. TheActalsoprescribesthat356

lawsthatpreviouslymademediaFoncompulsoryremain intact,providedthatthese lawsdonot

prevent the parFes from having access to courts. The first secFon also includes provisions357

concerning theautonomyof theparFes. It sFpulates thatanyagreement reachedat theendof

mediaFonmustbefinalisedbytheparFesthemselves-themediatorisnotallowedtoinduceor

coercetheparFestocometoanagreementinanyrespect.Furthermore,theActprovidesthatthe

mediatorcanbechosenbytheparFes. Again,therightofself-determinaFonfindsexpressionby358

Carl E et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 484349

Carl E et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 485-486350



Carl E et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 485 353





Mediationsgesetz 2012 s 1358


lesng theparFesmake thatdecision. This doesnot exclude the ability ofmediaFon centres to

provideamediator,astheparFesareallowedtoacceptasuggestedmediator. 359

AsthemediatoriscentraltothesuccessofthemediaFon,theActisquiteprescripFveastowho

maymediateandthecharacterisFcsandfuncFonsofamediator. AlthoughtheActprovidesthat360

theparFesmaychooseamediator,itsFllprovidessomegroundrulesofwhowouldberegardeda

suitablemediator.AccordingtosecFon5oftheActthemediatorhastoensurethatheorsheis

sufficiently qualified and maintains this standard by furthering his or her educaFon. The361

mediatorneedstopossesstheoreFcalknowledgeaswellasthepracFcalexperienceinordertoaid

the parFes in a skilfulmanner. The Act further regulateswhen amediatormay be regarded as

cerFfied. A cerFfied mediator is someone who has completed training that complies with the

direcFvesoftheFederalMinistryforJusFceandConsumerProtecFon. Furthertotheaforesaid,362

theActalsolistscharacterisFcsamediatorisrequiredtopossess. Importantly,amediatorneeds363

tobeindependent.TheActalsorequiresthatthemediatorsbeimparFal,andexpresslymenFons

thatthemediatordoesnothaveanypowertodecidethema@er. 364

Asthemediatorisresponsiblefortheprocess,itistheresponsibilityofthemediatortoinformthe

parFesabouttheprocedureandprinciplesofthemediaFonprocess. TheinformaFonthatthe365

mediatorprovidesputstheparFesinaposiFonwheretheycanmakeaninformeddecisionabout

whether or not they actuallywish tomediate. Themediator also has to assure him- or herself

about the voluntariness of the parFes’ parFcipaFon in the process. Where the mediaFon was

prescribedbyanylaw,themediatorhasthedutytolettheparFesknowthattheydonothaveto

cometoanagreementandthattheiraccesstocourts isnotcurtailedbyanyparFcipaFoninthe

mediaFonprocess. ThesecondsecFonoftheActalsotouchesonthecommunicaFonbetween366

theparFes,andprescribesthatthemediator’sduFesincludefacilitaFngcommunicaFonbetween

theparFes.





Mediationsgesetz 2012 s 2, 4, 5363


Mediationsgesetz 2012 s2(1)365



TheActalsoprovidesthatbothparFesmustbeintegratedinthemediaFoninafairandsuitable

manner. SecFon2 furtherprovides that themediatorhasanacFveduty to serve theparFes,367

rather than just being neutral. This can be done by way of separate meeFngs between the368

mediatorandtheparFes.TheActevengivestheparFesthediscreFontoallowforthirdparFesto

becomepartofthemediaFon. 369

SecFon 3 obliges mediators to explain their professional background as well as educaFon and

experience in mediaFon, should the parFes request it. This is done to keep the standard of

mediatorshighandtogivetheparFesadegreeofcontroloverwhomediatesthema@er.SecFon3

also requiresmediators tomenFonanything to theparFes that couldbring their independence

andimparFalityintodispute. 370

DuetothenatureofmediaFonasavoluntaryprocess,theparFescanendthemediaFonatany

Fme.SecFon2alsogives themediator thepowertoendthemediaFon.WhentheparFeshave

cometoanagreement,themediatorhastoensurethattheparFesunderstandthecontentofthe

agreement. The mediator also has to inform the parFes that they can have the agreement

inspectedbyadvisers.Thenthemediatorcanrecordtheagreement. 371

4.3.2Familylawmedia'on

Family mediaFon has been regarded as the type of mediaFon that is most commonly used in

Germany. Furthermore,familymediaFonisoneoftheearliestfieldsthatmediaFonhasfound372

applicaFon. 373

Family mediaFon in Germany can be organised into different types of family conflicts. What

resemblesmostwiththeSouthAfricanpercepFonoffamilymediaFonismediaFoninthefieldof

divorceandfamilyconflicts.OtherconflictsthatGermanyrecognisesaspartoffamilylawinclude

generaFonal conflicts, elder mediaFon, successions, internaFonal family conflicts and conflicts

concerningco-habitaFon. 374

Mediationsgesetz s2(3)367







Rafi A et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 518374


GermanliteratureonfamilymediaFonidenFfiesthreemainreasonswhymediaFonissuitablefor

divorce:adesiretoresolvethema@erinaharmoniousandcivilmanner; toensuretheoutcome375

issuitedtotheindividualneedsandcapabiliFesoftheparFes ;andfortheparFestoretainmore376

controlovertheprocessandtheoutcome. 377

MediaFonentailsthattheparFescancometotheirownagreement. However,inafieldthatis378

well regulatedby law, suchas family law, it isokenhelpful forparFes tobeawareofwhat the

courtswouldpossiblyhavedecided in theirdispute. Experts canoken clearly indicatewhat the

courts would have decided if the ma@er proceeded to court. That could be used as379

encouragementtose@[email protected]

parFes’percepFonoffairness.ThegoalshouldbeforhimorhertoguidetheparFestowardsan

agreement that deviates from the law in all aspects where the parFes’ percepFon of fairness

dictatesadifferentarrangement. 380

Divorce agreements as a result of mediaFon are generally final, especially with regard to how

propertyistobedivided.Theagreementsarebindingandareconcludedwithamemorandumof

understanding,whichincludesnotonlytheagreedtermsbutalsoaspectssuchastheautonomyof

theparFes,howthemediaFonwasconducted,andthevoluntarinessoftheprocess. Although381

the results of divorcemediaFonmight be similar to the court’s decision, the advantage is that

mediaFon takes itsFme.TheparFesdiscuss facts and soluFons together, aswell aswishesand

ideas. This can ideally produce a be@er relaFonship between the divorcees. Not only will the

childrenbenefitfromthisbutalsofamilymembersandfriends. 382

Ripke L et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 520-522375



Walk S Familienmediation: Eine Methode des familiären Konfliktmanagement im Blickpunkt 378

(2015) chapter 1

Ripke L et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 522379





4.3.3Media'oninsports(football)

AnotherareaoflawinwhichmediaFonisokenuFlisedissportdisputes. InGermany,ma@ers383

thathavebeenmediatedinfootballokenhadtodowithracism,theprevenFonofviolence,the

prevenFonofdiscriminaFonandconflictmanagement. 384

Withover80000footballmatchestakingplaceeveryweekend,football isthedominantsportin

Germany.Thereisalargenumberofmatches,andwhilemostoftheFmenoconflictarises,there

areinstanceswhereconflictescalates.Asmostofthegamesarenotplayedinprofessionalleagues

butrathersmall local leagues,theopponentsokenknowoneanother.SomeFmesthisresults in

teams being called derogatory names, which are mostly related to their ethnic background

(especiallyTurkishandMiddleEasternminoriFeslivinginGermany) .385

Theway inwhichthesemediaFonsoccur is that theparFes involved inan incident,oreventhe

whole team, is invited to the sports court. At the court, the parFes have the opportunity to386

a@end mediaFon in exchange for a lesser punishment. The mediaFon is conducted by two

experiencedmediators.ThegoalofthemediaFonistoensurethatinfuturesuchconflictswillnot

occuragain.Regardingtheprocess,thereareusuallythreemeeFngs:thefirsttwoattherespecFve

clubs and then a joint one at a neutral locaFon. The first two meeFngs serve the purpose of

blowing off steam and for themediator to familiarise the a@endeeswith the process and gain

someinsight. 387

A typical agreement obtained throughmediaFonbetween two teams could prescribe that both

teamsarriveearly for theirnextmatchagainstoneanother, so that theycangreetoneanother

beforethegameinordertoestablishrespect. Oneofthemediatorswilla@endthematchasan388

overseer. The agreement can also determine that,where verbal abuse takes place, the coaches

have the duty to take the players in quesFon off the field, even if the referee missed such

Ribler A et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 610383


In games, such terms are also often used in order to provoke a player into committing a foul 385

that will result in being sent off the pitch. The provoking player is not punished, as it is difficult for the referee to detect the provocation. These provocations and escalations of violence on the football pitch can be related to the world of politics. It has been observed that games often have a symbolic meaning that transcends the sport and deals with the conflicts of society. Ribler A et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 612.

Ribler A et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 613-614386




behaviour.Thespiritof‘fairplay’[email protected]

anydisturbancearise,theplayersofateamhavethedutytocalmtheirteammates.Thereferee

hastobeanexperiencedrefereeandhisdecisionsshouldbemetwithacceptance. 389

4.3.4Media'oninGermanschools

Schools in Germany have adopted mediaFon as part of their pedagogical approach. In the390

1990s, the discussion surrounding violence amongst school children gained momentum, so

mediaFon was chosen as a suitable process to prevent it. Even though no laws specifically391

prescribeformediaFoninschools,schoolsinGermanyhaveintroducedwhatisgenerallyknownas

peermediaJon. PeermediaFon is a systemwhere some learners are taught aboutmediaFon392

and conflicts. Usually, teachers or social workers educate and train the learners. Oken this393

trainingandpeermediaFonareinspiredbyonlyafewenthusiasFcteachers.Theseteachersthen

incorporate it into the school as an aker-school acFvity. Equipped with this knowledge, these

learnersthenassistotherlearnerstoresolvetheirconflicts.

ThebenefitofthistypeofmediaFonintheschoolsesngisthattheparFesinconflictaswellas

themediatorbelongtothesamegroup-theyarealllearners.ThereisthereforeiniFallyafeeling

of belonging to the same group. In addiFon, there is a considerable degree of trust amongst

learners,whichcanhelp individualsopenupandmightmakeeffecFvecommunicaFoneasier. 394

TheobjecFveofthefirstpeermediaFonprojectswastocombatviolenceamongstschoolchildren.

PeermediaFonwasthereforealsointendedtoteachlearnersthattheythemselvescouldaidtheir

fellowlearnerstosolvetheirdisputes. 395

MediaFon in schools normally follows a system that consists of five disFnct phases. The first396

phaseistheintroducFonphase.ThemediatorexplainsthegroundrulestotheparFesandsetsout

thegoalsforthemediaFon.ThesecondphaseisconcernedwiththeconflictfromtheperspecFve


Will H et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 596390






Schubarth W Gewaltprävention nach Erfurt und Pisa: zur Wirksamkeit von 396

Präventionsprogrammen am Beispiel der Schulmediation. Sozialwissenschaften und Berufspraxis (2003) 26(2), 203. https://nbn-resolving.org/ urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-38032


oftheparFes.EachparFcipantgetstheopportunitytopresenttheconflictfromhisorherpointof

view.Followingthisphase,theparFesareencouragedtoexplainhowtheacFonsaffectedthem.

ThisphasehighlightsthefeelingsoftheparFes.Thefourthphase isaboutfindingsoluFons.The

fikhphase is the conclusionof themediaFon, andusually contains awri@enagreement,which

statesthesoluFonornon-soluFonwithwhichtheparFescameup. 397

Thebenefitsof schoolmediaFonare that conflict is construcFvely solved, teaching the learners

thatnoteveryconflictneedstoberesolvedin‘winnerorloser’manner.Thisisalsofavourableasit

introducesmediaFon to the learners early,who then later in lifemight remember the benefits

mediaFonhasbroughtthem,andtheymightchooseitasanalternaFvetocourtproceedings.This

creates and furthers a culture of communicaFon and interacFon. Furthermore, it emphasises

values such as equality, parFcipaFon and non-violent conflict resoluFon. It empowers children

earlytobeabletoempathisewithothersandgainadifferentperspecFveonconflict. Theycan398

understand conflict be@er and experience first-hand how specific factors can contribute. School

mediaFonalsohasapsychologicalbenefitasitprovidesanopportunitytointerveneandrecFfya

situaFonwithouthavingtopunishorignore–bothofwhichforceapersontoloseface.

However,schoolmediaFonisnotalwaysanappropriateprocess.Thesuccessisdependentonthe

supportthatpeermediaFonhasbythoseinauthority. Iftheprincipalandteachersthereforedo399

not support it, the necessary influence will be missing. Furthermore, if the learners are not

properlytrained,theymightbeoverwhelmedwiththesituaFon,whichisdetrimentalnotonlyto

themselves but also to the parFes to the conflict. Hence, the quality of the training has to be

consistentlyhigh,whileintegraFngpeermediaFonasameanstoresolveconflictinandaroundthe

school.Thisideallyinvolvesparents,teachersandlearnersalike. 400

StudieshavebeenconductedinordertoassesswhypeermediaFonhasbeenasuccessatsome

schoolsbutafailureatothers.Astudythatwaspublishedin2006 didquanFtaFveresearchat401

about 1 455 schools throughout Germany. The results concerning violence prevenFon and

construcFve conflict solving were posiFve. Learners involved showed improved communicaFon

Schubarth W Gewaltprävention nach Erfurt und Pisa: zur Wirksamkeit von 397

Präventionsprogrammen am Beispiel der Schulmediation. Sozialwissenschaften und Berufspraxis (2003) 26(2), 199-212. https://nbn-resolving.org/ urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-38032

Will H et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 598-599398



Behn S et al Mediation an Schulen: Eine bundesweiter Evaluation (2006) 401


andsocialskills. TheresearchfurtherfoundthatschoolandmediaFonaretwoseparatesystems402

that both operate ondifferent underlying principles. WhilemediaFon relies on voluntariness,403

autonomy of the parFes and an equal fooFng for all parFes, schools are characterised by

principles,suchthehierarchicalorderofteacherandlearner,thesystemoforderandcommand,a

strictly organised schedule, and the evaluaFon of individuals. This demonstrates the stark404

contrastbetweenthetwosystems.ThiscouldalsoexplainwhydifficulFesmayarisewhentryingto

introducemediaFonintotheschoolenvironment.

For theeffecFve implementaFonofamediaFonsystemat school, certain factorsareneeded to

facilitateasuccessfulintroducFon.Thefirstfactoristoembraceothercomplementaryprojectsin

relaFon to violence prevenFon and to incorporatemediaFon into the school programme. By405

doingso, learnersarebeingtaughthowtopreventviolenceandgrowinsocialsituaFons–allof

that will be encouraged by mediaFon. This relates to changing the dynamics of the school406

environmentasawhole.The raFonale is thatmediaFonwillbemoreeffecFve if it isembraced

fully.SchoolsthatdevisedfurtherstrategiestosupportmediaFonhadamuchhighersuccessrate

thanschoolswhodidnotdevise furtherstrategies.Suchstrategies includeprogressively training

more teachers who can serve as supervisors. The promoFon of peer mediaFon at schools is

anotherimportantpoint. TeachersshouldencouragemediaFonandinformlearnersthatsucha407

projectexists. Itwasalso found tobehelpful toassignpeermediators tospecificclasses. For408

theseclasses,theywillactasamentors.Schoolsthatconductedworkshopswithafocusonsocial

competenciesobservedthatmediaFonwasmorereadilyacceptedandulFmatelysuccessful.This

indicates that it is not only important to educate the learner mediators, but also the other

learners.Again,thiscanberelatedtochangingthedynamicsoftheschoolsystem.InaddiFon,it

hasbeenobservedthattheinvolvementofschoolsocialworkershasbeenacontribuFngfactorfor

successful implementaFon. Their advisory funcFon is essenFal, especially in the beginning409










stages of introducing mediaFon, as they have a deeper knowledge and therefore can assist

teachersandlearnermediatorsalike.

It has also been submi@ed that the decision at the school to establishmediaFon to deal with

conflictshadaneffectonthesuccess. WheretheprincipalalonedecidedtolaunchamediaFon410

project,theimplicaFonsweresomeFmesnegaFve,whileadecisionmadebylearners,parentsand

teachers together aker informaFon had been presented to them generally had higher success

rates. This has its source in the element of acceptance. Teachers, learners and parents all

contributetowardsthesuccess.WhereadecisionisthereforeannouncedwithoutconsulFngwith

them,thereisthelikelihoodthattheywillnotbeasaccepFngastheymighthavebeenotherwise.

Lastly,thesuccessofmediaFonprojectsatschoolsislinkedtoestablishingaconflictmanagement

system from the start. This system is ideally the result of careful consideraFon, and answers411

quesFonsabouthowaconflictmakesittomediaFon,whattheprocessofmediaFonis,andwhich

conflicts could possibly bemediated by learner mediators. Another aspect is whether conflicts

betweenlearnersandteacherscanbemediated. Thisshowsthat,beforelaunchingamediaFon412

project, it is advisable to have proper consideraFon of the relevant factors and difficulFes that

mightariseandtothinkofwaystodealwiththem.PreparaFonandplanningareessenFalforthe

successofthissystematschools.

4.3.5Commercialmedia'on

The implicaFons of legal proceedings on businesses can be far-reaching. As example, in 2001

Lukhansa (theGerman naFonal airway) announced that strikes for a be@er salary had cost the

airlinemorethan190millioneuroduringthatfinancialyear. Ithasbeenfoundthatemployees413

spend12percentof theirFmeatworkonconflicts.Companieswithmorethan500employees

canrecordevenhighernumbers. 414

Inlightofexamplessuchastheabove,itwouldbedesirableforcompaniestohaveproceduresin

place that enable more effecFve and efficient conflict management, so that damages and

consequencescanbeavoided.Differenttypesofconflictscanarise inacompany.Generally,one



Behn S et al Mediation an Schulen: Eine bundesweiter Evaluation (2006) location 2950412


Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (8/7/2002) 17414


can differenFate between internal and external conflicts. Furthermore,most conflicts can be415

categorised as material conflict, conflict of value, strategic conflict, distribuFonal conflict,

relaFonshipconflictorinnerconflict. ThecategorisaFonhasthebenefitthatcertainapproaches416

tomediaFonaremoresuitedforcertainconflicts.Bycategorisingitassuchitbecomesapparent

earlyonwhichapproachshouldbeused. 417

Generallyspeaking,ithasbeenobservedthroughtheresearchthatcommercialmediaFonadheres

largely to acceptedmediaFon theory.MediaFon consists of three phases: the preparaFon, the

mediaFon and the implementaFon phases. The preparaFon comprises making contact, the418

analysis of the conflict and agreeing to mediate. For conflicts happening within the company,

contact is mostly made through a phone call or a high-ranking employee. The mediaFon is

regulatedandpaidforbyanenFtythatlegiFmisesmediaFonwithinthecompany,butwhoisnot

directly involved in the company. Themediator is contracted to this enFty, and the contract419

detailstheprofessionalfees,thedefiniFonofmediaFon,thegoals,rules,funcFonsandtheroleof

the law and confidenFality. Themediator also enters into a contract with the parFes to the420

mediaFon.ThiscontractexcludesprofessionalfeestosaFsfytherequirementofindependence. 421

ThecontactstagebetweencompaniesusuallystartswithoneoftheparFessuggesFngmediaFon

totheotherparty.Contractsbetweenthecompaniescanalsocontainclausesthatreferama@er

tomediaFonfirstbeforegoingtocourt. 422

ThemediaFonphasestartswithreadingthemediaFoncontractandsesngbehaviouralrulesfor

theduraFonofthemediaFon. Thetopicsaredecidedonandinterests,moFvesandneedsare423




Koschany-Rohbeck M Praxishandbuch Wirtschaftsmediation: Grundlagen und Methoden zur 418

Lösung innerbetrieblicher und zwischenbetrieblicher Konflikte (2018) 2 ed chapter 5

Koschany-Rohbeck M Praxishandbuch Wirtschaftsmediation: Grundlagen und 419

Methoden zur Lösung innerbetrieblicher und zwischenbetrieblicher Konflikte (2018) 2 ed chapter 5

Koschany-Rohbeck M Praxishandbuch Wirtschaftsmediation: Grundlagen und 420

Methoden zur Lösung innerbetrieblicher und zwischenbetrieblicher Konflikte (2018) 2 ed chapter 5






Lösung innerbetrieblicher und zwischenbetrieblicher Konflikte (2018) 2 ed chapter 5http://etd.uwc.ac.za/

explored.Followingthat,asoluFonhastobegeneratedandoneofthesoluFonshastobechosen.

The last step would be to take down the soluFon in wriFng. The implementaFon phase is

concernedwithmakingsurethattheagreementisrespectedbytheparFesandthemediatorhas

toreflectonthemediaFon. ThisinvolvesthedrakingandsigningofamediaFonagreement.The424

agreementcancontainamediaFon-clause,whichprescribesthatshouldtheparFesencounterany

difficulFeswiththeimplementaFonoftheagreementtheyareobligedtoapproachthemediator

toresolvethedifficulFes.ThisispreferableasthemediatorisalreadyfamiliarwiththeparFesand

circumstances. AnotheraspectoftheimplementaFonphaseistheevaluaFonofthemediaFon425

by themediator. Themediatorwill compile a file documenFng the feedback received from the

parFesbut also the techniques thatwereused in themediaFon aswell as a descripFonof the

case.Compilingthisdataisbeneficialasitallowsthemediatorandotherstogaingreaterinsight

intothemediator’swork. 426

Itisdesirableforcompaniestoestablishaconflictmanagementsystem. Thedecisionabouthow427

a conflict is dealt with should ideally be based on its merits and check lists, which refers to a

process for a certain type of problem. The processes should not be arbitrary and need to have

certainqualiFes,suchastransparency,certainstandardsanduniformity. Thiscanbeachievedby428

incorporaFngmediaFon rules into the company’s guidelines or using external rules. Companies

shouldmakeuseof qualifiedpersonnel to regulatemediaFons.Ahuman resourcesdepartment

couldbecomprisedofsuchpersonnel.Otherwise,companiescouldalsouseexternalmediatorsor

personalfromtheirlegaldepartment. 429

InGermanystepshavebeentakentoimproveandpromoteconflictmanagementsystems.In2008

theRound TableMediaJon und Konfliktmanagement (RTMKM)was founded. It is a coaliFon of

about80companiesthatareacFveinavarietyoffields.ThisincludesinfluenFalcompaniessuch

asDieDeutscheBahn,whichisaGermanrailwaycompanythatisstate-ownedandwasthebiggest







Nöldeke M Konfliktmanagement: Wie Wissenschaft und Praxis sich bereichern (2011) 427

Spektrum der Mediation Ausgabe 44

Gläßler U et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 555-558428

Gläßler U et al Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 555-558429


railwaycompanyintheworldintermsofrevenue. ThiscoaliFonofcompanieswasintendedto430

increaseinnovaFonbyprovidingalargepoolofexperiencesthatcanbeshared.TheulFmategoal

wastoopFmiseandimproveconflictmanagementsystemsbycreaFnganexchangebetweenthe

praxisandtheory. RTMKMmemberstakepartinstudiesandacademicfuncFons.Between2014431

and2015theywereinvolvedin40funcFonsandatleast25publishedarFcles.TheRTMKMcanbe

regardedasasuccessbecause itwasresponsible foravarietyof improvedconflictmanagement

systems. Themembercompaniestestednewconflictmanagementstructureswhichbridgedthe432

gap between theory and praxis. The insights together with the data collected enabled the433

adapFon and modificaFon of conflict management models so that they could be successfully

used. 434

A study conducted by the European University Viadrina Frankfurt focused on the changes that

happenedbetween2005and2015atGermancompanieswithregardtoconflictmanagement. 435

Onascale from1to4,with4meaning ‘always’anda1meaning ‘never’, thecompanieshadto

indicate how oken they used courts and other ADR methods to resolve conflicts. In 2005

negoFaFonappeared tobe themost commonmeans to resolvean issue.NegoFaFonwasused

veryoken,scoring3.3,while10years later itremainedhighat3.0.MediaFonwasalmostnever

usedin2005(1.2),whilein2015itscored2.1. Eventhoughitmaynotseemverysignificant,a436

changefrom‘never’to‘rarely’isgoodasitshowsthatmediaFonhasbecomemorerelevantand

https://www.railway-technology.com/features/featureengines-of-trade-the-ten-biggest-rail-430

companies-by-revenue-4943955

https://www.ikm.europa-uni.de/de/Studie_V.pdf431


According to German legal theory, a conflict management system should document conflicts. 433

The focus of the documentation should be on the techniques that were used and the effect it had. This helps to improve mediation and also serves as a quality check. Another important component is communication. A conflict management system in companies can only be utilised if the system is known and accepted. In order to achieve that, the system has to be accessible, transparent and readily understood. Establishing a functioning conflict management system does not only require to have all of the above-mentioned in place. It also requires an entity that has a coordinating function, which connects the single elements, guarantees that they work together and oversees the system as a whole. Furthermore, the coordination must be based on rules and should be structurally incorporated into the company.


Konfliktmanagement in der deutschen Wirtschaft - Entwicklung eines Jahrzehnts accessible 435

on: https://www.ikm.europa-uni.de/de/Studie_V.pdf



sFllhas thepotenFal tobecomeevenmorerelevantwith increasedexposure. Thesamegoes437

for‘arbitraFon’,whichwentfrom1.3to2.3.AtthesameFme,‘courtproceedings’droppedfrom

2.3to1.9.

Inmyopinion, thestudyshowed that there ismerit inmediaFonand thatcompanies recognise

this. At the same Fme, the study revealed that companies may not know how to incorporate

mediaFon. In conclusion, this means that, while mediaFonmodels and the theory are already

quitedeveloped,moreemphasisshouldbeplacedonhelpingcompaniesandthepublictouFlise

thisknowledge.

4.4Recep'onofmedia'oninGermany

AkerhavingdiscussedthetheoreFcalbasisandthevariousareaswithinwhichmediaFoncanbe

uFlised,thediscussionisnowgoingtofocusonhowwellmediaFonhasbeenreceivedinGermany.

Paragraph1oftheMediaJonActobligedtheGermanfederalgovernmenttoreporttothefederal

parliament by 26 July 2017 on the impact that theMediaJon Act had on the development of

mediaFoninGermany. Forthereport,morethanathousandmediatorswerequesFoned,who438

providedanswersand insights.OfthequesFonedmediators,67%statedthattheyhad lessthan

five (many in fact had none)mediaFons in 2016. Only 7% of themediators hadmore than 20

mediaFonsperyear. 439

TheselownumbersmakesenseinthecontextofmediatorsmostlydoingmediaFonasasecondary

occupaFon (42%),whileonly17%of the interviewedmediatorsviewedmediaFonas theirmain

https://www.ikm.europa-uni.de/de/Studie_V.pdf The study also looked at how companies 437

perceive the different possibilities to resolve conflicts. Even though people rarely utilised mediation in 2005, it was perceived as the second most beneficial possibility to resolve disputes. It was perceived as the second most beneficial dispute resolution method again in 2015. In my opinion, this is significant, as it presents the notion that even though people have not really had much exposure to mediation, they still recognise its potential benefits. The study goes on to describe what a ‘corporate pledge’ is. A corporate pledge is the promise of a company to try to resolve a conflict first by way of an alternative dispute resolution. The corporate pledge was invented by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution in New York, and since its inception, more than 4 000 companies have joined.

The German Federal Government Bericht der Bundesregierung über die Auswirkungen des 438

Mediationsgesetzes auf die Entwicklung der Mediation in Deutschland und über die Situation der Aus- und Fortbildung der Mediatoren (2017) 2




https://www.ikm.europa-uni.de/de/Studie_V.pdf

occupaFon. ThemediatorsfurtheridenFfiedseveralfactorsthat,accordingtothem,impedethe440

development of mediaFon. They most commonly menFoned public awareness, but also the

existence of alternaFve mediaFon providers, such as telephone mediaFon and arbitraFon

boards. The professional groups that act as mediators are for the most part consultants or441

coaches (42%) and lawyers (20%). In Germany mediators pracFce in businesses or enterprises

(23%) or other organisaFons (20%) such as schools, churches and hospitals. Other fieldswhere

mediatorsareacFvearefamilyandpartnershipmediaFon(22%),followedbybusinessmediaFon

(12%)andneighbourhoodmediaFon(10%). 442

The Roland Legal Report from 2018 found that 73% of the people who took part in the

representaFvesurveyhadheardaboutmediaFonbefore.Thisisincomparisontotheonly57%of

people who had heard about mediaFon by 2010. This shows that the public is becoming443

increasinglyawareofmediaFonasanalternaFvetocourts.

Nonetheless, the low numbers of mediaFons might also be influenced by the trust that the

Germanpublic places in the courts and laws.According to theRoland LegalReport, 68%of the

peopleaskedstatedthattheyhada‘greatdealoftrust’oratleast‘quiteabitoftrust’inthelaws,

while64%had‘agreatdealoftrust’or‘quiteabitoftrust’inthecourts. 444

4.5Conclusion

ThischapterprovidedinformaFonaboutmediaFonandthemediator’sroleinGermany.MediaFon

in Germany has become especially relevant in recent years, resulFng in the enactment of the

MediaJon Act in 2012. This Act provides certain requirements that need to be met during

mediaFon.Forinstance,amediatorneedstobesuitablyqualifiedorheorsheneedstogivehisor

her professional background upon request. In addiFon to that, this chapter discussed themost

commonfieldsoflawinwhichmediaFoninGermanyisimplemented.Infamilylaw,mediaFonhas

beendescribedassuitable,asitfocusesonharmoniousandcivildialoguewithasoluFonthatcan







Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach Roland Rechtsreport 2018 (2018) 22443

Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach Roland Rechtsreport 2018 (2018) 11444


beinaccordancewiththeneedsoftheparFes.InconclusionitcanbestatedthatmediaFonhas

becomeakeyfeatureoftheGermanlegallandscape.


Chapter5:Conclusion

5.1Introduc'on

This concluding chapter will provide a brief summarised overview of the differences and

similariFesbetweenmediaFoninGermanyandSouthAfricainthefieldsoffamily-, commercial-

andlabourmediaFon.Indoingthis,theresearcherwilla@empttoconsiderwhatSouthAfricacan

learn from the approach to mediaFon in Germany in the respecFve fields, and perhaps, what

GermanycouldlearnfromtheSouthAfricanapproach.SportsmediaFonwillnotformpartofthe

comparison,simplyforthereasonthatitdoesnothaveacomparablecounterpartinSouthAfrica.

SchoolmediaFonisalsonot included,as ithasbeendiscussedat lengthinthepreviouschapter,

andsimilarlydoesnothaveacomparablecounterpart inSouthAfrica.MediaFon inGermany in

these two fields will however be referred to in as far as determining some best pracFces on

mediaFonintheSouthAfricancontext.

5.2Comparingmedia'oninGermanyandSouthAfrica

To date, South Africa and Germany have both used mediaFon to varying degrees. In South445

Africa,mediaFonwas first encountered as part of tribal culture and expressed throughubuntu,

whilemediaFoninGermanycanbetracedbackasfarasthe14thcentury. Whatbothcountries446

haveincommonthoughisthatalternaFvewaysofresolvingdisputes,suchasthroughmediaFon,

tradiFonally played a secondary role, with adjudicaFon before courts being the primary way

throughwhich toaddressdisputes.TheuseofmediaFonhashoweverbeenon the rise inboth

Germany and South Africa. The comparison between mediaFon in Germany and South Africa

mightprovideinsight intohowmediaFoncanbeuFlisedtoa largerextenttoresolvedisputesin

bothcountries.

5.2.1Familymedia'on

InSouthAfricaandGermanyalike,afieldinwhichmediaFongainedearlypopularitywasthatof

family law. In South Africa, mediaFon in family law received early a@enFon, such as where447

judges directed parFes to undergo mediaFon before returning to court. Since 2005 the448

Children’sActhasalsopromotedmediaFon in familyma@ers inSouthAfricabyprovidingcourts

See Chapter 3 445


Wiese T The use of alternative dispute resolution methods in corporate disputes: The 447

provisions of the Companies Act 2008 (2014) SAMLJ

Townsend-Turner and Another v Morrow (524/2003, 6055/2003) [2003] ZAWCHC 53448


with thepower to referaconflict tomediaFon. Legalexpertsand judgesalikehaveremarked449

thatmediaFoninfamilyma@ersisokenthebestalternaFvetocourtproceedings. Despitethe450

aforesaid, mediaFon is sFll not uFlised sufficiently, with the public sFll viewing courts as the

starFngpointforresolvingissues. 451

FamilymediaFoninGermanyoccursinmoreareas,andmorefrequently,incomparisontoSouth

Africa. Outside of divorce proceedings, family ma@ers that have been mediated in Germany

include successions, eldermediaFon, generaFonal conflicts and internaFonal family conflicts. 452

Germanfamilylawiswellregulatedandfollowsclearrules;therefore,inmanycircumstances,itis

predictablewhatthecourtswilldecide. Knowledgeofwhatthecourtswilldecidecanthenbe453

used as a starFng point or guide for mediaFon over the issue. According to secFon 1 of the

MediaJon Act, mediaFon is understood as a voluntary process in Germany. Even though454

mediaFonisvoluntary,secFon156oftheGesetzüberdasVerfahreninFamiliensachenundinden

Angelegenheitender freiwilligenGerichtsbarkeit (Act onProceedings in FamilyMa@ers and in455

Ma@ersofNon-contenFousJurisdicFon)givesthecourtsthepowertoorderparentstotakepart

in an informaFon session about mediaFon. Taking part in mediaFon remains voluntary in456

accordance with the Act, but the parFes can be forced by the Act to consider it (by way of

informaFonsessions).

MediaFon in Germany also works on the premise of informing both parFes of the emoFonal

situaFonandeconomicandsocialdifferencesbetweentheparFes,inordertocreateafeelingof

fairness. It is the view of the researcher that this is important as it opens the door for457

empatheFc decision-making. Extensive use of mediaFon in German family law arguably also

Children’s Act 38 of 2005449

MB v NB (2008/25274) (2009) ZAGPJHC 76; 2010 (3) SA 220 (GSJ) and Brownlee v Brownlee 450

(2008) 25274

Brand J et al. Commercial Mediation A User’s Guide (2016) 2 ed 2451

Rafi A Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 518452

Ripke L et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 522453

Mediationgesetz 2012454





Ripke L et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 525457


indicatestothegeneralpublicthatmediaFonisaviablealternaFvetocourtproceedingsunderthe

rightcircumstancesandifdoneproperly.

However,promoFngmediaFoninvolvesmorethansimplydirecFngparFestomediaFon.Thereare

morebenefitsa@achedtoamediaFonprocesswhenpeoplegotomediaFonontheirownaccord

astheyarelikelytobemorewillingtoengagefully.

SimilartoGermanywheremediaFonisalsovoluntary,theprovisionsoftheChildren’sActinSouth

Africamerely create an opportunity for the courts to send the conflicFng parFes tomediaFon,

whichtheparFesmaychoosenottoinvoke.

5.2.2Commercialmedia'on

IntermsofcommercialmediaFon,SouthAfricahastheCompaniesAct71of2008inplacewhich

permitsresoluFonofcertaindisputesthroughmediaFon. ItalsosFpulatesthatamemorandum458

ofincorporaFonisbinding,whichisrelevantbecauseitmeansthatwherecompanieshaveagreed

previouslytose@leconflictthroughmediaFonfirst,suchmediaFoniscompulsory. TheCodeon459

Corporate Governance also highlights the importance of resolving disputes through ADR and460

encouragestheinclusionofmediaFonclausesincontracts.

In Germany, on the other hand, the appeal for commercialmediaFon seems to stem from the

pracFcalstandpointthatresourcesandmoneyareokenwastedonconflictintheworkplaceand

the implicaFons thereof. A study conducted in 2015 by the European University, Viadrina461

Frankfurt, has shown that even though mediaFon is recognised by German companies and

recognisedforholdingmanybenefits,itisnotusedasmuchasitcould. However,thestudydid462

reveal that an increasing number of conflicts within German companies are resolved through

mediaFoncomparedtotenyearsago. 463

The researcher is of the view that similar studies, representaFve of both bigger and smaller

companies, could provide be@er insight into the effecFveness of mediaFon in terms of the

CompaniesActandthestatusofmediaFon inSouthAfricancompanies ingeneral.Muchcanbe


Brand et al Commercial Mediation: A User’s Guide (2016) 2 ed 7459

King Report on Corporate Governance South Africa 2009 accessible at https://460

www.iodsa.co.za/page/kingIII

Duve C et al. Mediation in der Wirtschaft (2011) 12–13461




learned from theGerman theory on commercialmediaFon.GermanmediaFon theory suggests

that rather than only endorsingmediaFon, amore comprehensive conflictmanagement system

shouldbe created.A conflictmanagement system is able toprovide suitable circumstances and

condiFons formediaFon to funcFon ina commercialenvironment. Contrary towhathappens464

whenmediaFon is simply introduced on its own at a company, a conflict management system

consistsofnumerouselements. Suchelements includeadesignatedcontactperson,accepted465

andclearmediaFonrulesthatareincorporatedintothecompany,qualifiedpersonneloverseeing

mediaFon and proper documentaFon of conflicts. Proper documentaFon helps to assesswhich

processesworkforwhichtypeofconflict. 466

Germany a@empted to promote and improve conflict management systems by creaFng the

RTMKM,whereexperiencesandknowledgeweresharedinordertopushforquickerinnovaFonof

improved conflictmanagement systems.A larger pool of experiences enablesquicker andmore

accurate conclusions concerning the effecFveness of mediaFon in the commercial context.

Something similar could be implemented in South Africa as all companies that take part could

actually benefit from the shared knowledge and improvements. A well-thought-out conflict

managementsysteminconjuncFonwiththedecisionsbycourtsthathavebeenmadewithregard

tomediaFon,togetherwiththelegislaFoninplaceinSouthAfrica,couldprovidetherighttypeof

environmentformediaFontobemorereadilyacceptedandused.

Even though mediaFon in Germany is voluntary (in accordance with the MediaJon Act), a

corporatepledgeenforcedbytherightauthoritycouldalsoencouragecompaniestomakeuseof

mediaFon more oken. A corporate pledge is the declaraFon by a company to commit to467

mediaFonbeforetakingthema@ertocourt.TheRTMKMalsoacFvelyassistscompaniesinsigning

suchacorporatepledgebyprovidingadviceonthecontentandwordingofthepledge. 468

ThemajorityofcompaniesthattookpartinastudyregardingacorporatepledgeinGermanyrated

it as a useful measure. Nonetheless, more than 50% of the parFcipants found the469

Nöldeke M Konfliktmanagement: Wie Wissenschaft und Praxis sich bereichern (2011) Spektrum 464

der Mediation Ausgabe 44


Lösung innerbetrieblicher und zwischenbetrieblicher Konflikte (2018) 2 ed Chapter 5

Gläßler U et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 556466


Gläßler U et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 560-561468



implementaFonofsuchapledge‘difficult’. ShouldSouthAfricadecidetoimposesomethingofa470

similarnature,itwouldbebeneficialiftherecouldbeaprofessionalbodyassisFngthecompanies

thatarewillingtojointhepledge.IntheSouthAfricancontext,acorporatepledgemightworkin

conjuncFonwiththememorandumofincorporaFon.AmemorandumofincorporaFonthatstates

thatcompanieshavetomediatefirstwouldbeaviableopFon.Therefore,thepledgecouldsimply

work by giving further emphasis to the memorandum of incorporaFon within a company and

makingsuchacommitmentcommonknowledgeamongstemployees.

5.2.3Labourmedia'on

InSouthAfrica,theCCMAwascreatedto,amongstothers,addresstheproblemsoftheprevious

slowandinefficientindustrialcourtssystem.TheCCMAisacreatureofstatute,meaningthatitcan

onlyperformthefuncFonsassFpulatedintheLRA. ThisaddscomplexitytothejurisdicFonof471

theCCMAasitisnotalwaysclearwhichma@ersfallwithinthefuncFonsprovidedforintheAct. 472

It also presents the problem that people who have labour disputes are prevented from using

CCMA mediaFons. In the course of any mediaFon (conciliaFon or arbitraFon) the relaFonship

betweentheparFeshastobedetermined.WherenoemploymentrelaFonshipexistsinthelegal

sense,theCCMAdoesnothavejurisdicFon.

IntermsoftheLRA,mediaFon(typically intheformofconciliaFon) iscompulsoryundercertain

circumstances. It isonlywheremediaFondoesnotproducearesultthatthema@ercanthenbe

referred toarbitraFon. This LRAdriven system isbeneficial in the sense thatpeoplehave the473

chance to have theirma@er resolved by less expensive (when compared to court proceedings)

mediaFon,conciliaFonorarbitraFon.

InGermanythereisnosimilarActtotheLRAoranorganisaFonsimilartotheCCMA.MediaFonin

labour law is also governed by theMediaJon Act as discussed under 5.2.1 above. Labour law

mediaFon oken also forms part of internal conflict management systems. These conflict

management systemsassistbothemployeesandemployersandhavegained the supportof the

RTMKM. 474



31 ILJ 809 809


31 ILJ 809 813


31 ILJ 809 809



WhilemediaFonattheCCMAasprovidedbytheLRAis important,thefactthatanemployment

relaFonshiphastobeestablishedinordertoaccesstheservicesoftheCCMApresentsasourceof

difficulty. Itwouldhavebeenmorebeneficial toworkersandemployers ifanenFtysimilar to475

theCCMAexistedwhichcatersforalldisputesthatoccurinaworkenvironment.Thatwaymore

workerscangainthebenefitsofmediaFon,suchasindependentcontractors.

Incontrast,theGermansystemreliesontheincenFvesofawell-funcFoningconflictsystemthat

can improve the way a company runs. In addiFon, it is important to give support to labour

mediaFon,whetherthesystemreliesonvoluntaryorcompulsorymediaFon.AniniFaFvesuchas

the RTMKM, which has the means to improve the system and encourage research, can be

effecFve.

5.3Observa'onsandrecommenda'ons

One of themore apparent differences betweenmediaFon in Germany and South Africa is that

GermanyhasaMediaJonActthatregulatesmediaFoningeneral–thatis,beingapplicabletoall

areasoflaw. TheActextensivelyregulatesissuessuchastheroleandduFesofthemediator,a476

mediator’s qualificaFons and training, and requirements related to having sufficient theoreFcal

andpracFcalknowledgetoactasamediator. Themediator isresponsiblefortheprocessasa477

whole, including having to inform the parFes about what mediaFon entails and the effect of

decisionsreached. TheMediaJonActalsocatersforthemediatorhavingtolaydownhisorher478

credenFalsuponrequest. InaddiFon, theActmakesmenFonof the imparFality requirement,479

which could be impaired due to professional cooperaFon for example. From the research it480

appears as if theMediaJon Act largely codifies what is already common pracFce concerning

mediaFoninGermany.

In SouthAfrica therearevariousActsdealingwithmediaFon indifferentfieldsof law.TheActs

deal with mediaFon in their respecFve fields and mostly allow for mediaFon to be used in a

specific set of events or scenario,whether it be voluntary ormandatory. TheChildren’s Act for


31 ILJ 809 813

Carl E et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 485–486476

Mediationsgesetz 2012 section 2477


Mediationsgesetz 2012 section 3(5)479

Carl E et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 485–486480


examplemakesprovisionforreferringama@ertomediaFonintherightcircumstances. Thereis481

noActhoweverthatregulatesmediaFonorsetsouttherulesandstandardsthathavetobemet

asisthecasewiththeMediaJonActinGermany.

TherearequiteafewlessonsSouthAfricacantakefromtheGermanMediaJonActshouldSouth

AfricadecidetoenactasimilarAct.First,thereisadisFncFonbetweenamediatorandacerJfied

mediator, with the cerFfied mediator having to comply with more stringent formal and

professionalrequirements.Suchanapproachhastheadvantageofenablingalargerpoolofpeople

to act as mediators, while sFll maintaining a specialised group of cerFfied mediators. Such a

disFncFonisimportantincasesdealingwithissuesofaverytechnical,andmoredifficult,nature.

ThisalsoprovidesprotecFontotheparFeswhoa@endmediaFon.AccordingtotheMediaJonAct

parFesmayaskthemediatorforhisorhercredenFals.

Secondly,intermsoftheGermanMediaJonActthemediatorhasthedutytoservetheparFesto

an equal degree – a requirement that seems to stretch further than merely requiring

imparFality. This highlights the posiFon of themediator as the facilitator but also places an482

acFve duty on him or her to assist both parFes. There are also provisions that deal with

circumstanceswhenmediatorsaredeemednottobeimparFal andtheduFesofthemediator483

arealsoclearlydefined. 484

Thirdly,theGermanMediaJonActlaysdownsomegroundrulesregardingmediaFonandthereby

setsaspecificstandardthathastobemet.

Fourthly, having a single Act regulaFngmediaFon in general also providesmore certainty over

when andhowmediaFon is to take place andprovides easier recourse tomediaFon. For these

reasons, it is believed that a single, comprehensive, MediaFon Act would ulFmately be

advantageousformediaFoninSouthAfrica.

Thatishowevernottosaythatsuchanapproachwillnothavesomeshortcomingsordifficultyin

SouthAfrica.OnesuchissueistherequirementofmediatorcerFficaFon.DifferentfromGermany,

SouthAfricahasa largenumberofruralareaswheremediatorsmightnotbeabletoobtainthe

prescribedtraining,letaloneprescribedaccreditaFon.AnyMediaFonAct(orsimilarAct)inSouth

Children’s Act 38 of 2005 section 71(1)481


Mediationsgesetz 2012 section 2(5), 3(2)483



Africashouldtherefore ideallyalsocaterformediaFoninruralareasandtake intoconsideraFon

thedifferentcircumstancesoftheparFesinvolved.

AproblemobservedthroughtheresearchwithmediaFoninbothGermanyandinSouthAfricais

thateventhoughmediaFoniscateredforinbothcountries,theprocessseemstobeunder-uFlised

inmany instances. As such it is important to keep anyMediaFonAct as simple inwording and

meaningaspossible,sinceanoverlycomplexActcoulddeterthepublicfrommakinguseofitand

might create more quesFons than answers. One soluFon could be to teach people about

mediaFon from a young age – in line with themodel ofmediaFon in schools uFlised in some

Germanschools. Suchanapproachhasmanyadvantages:first,peoplearefamiliarisedwiththe485

conceptofmediaFon,andthatconflictscanbesolvedinsuchaway,fromayoungage.Secondly,it

equips young people with the right tools to resolve disputes in a producFve manner. An

introducFontomediaFonatayoungagecouldchangethelegallandscapeandthinkingofpeople.

Principles and approaches tomediaFon should be taught to learners by competent teachers or

skilled outside mediators. The quality of the training is essenFal, because only then will the

learners be in a posiFon to dealwith conflict rather than being overwhelmed thereby. Lawyers

whoareeducated inmediaFoncouldmentorschoolsaspartof theirprobonowork inorder to

guaranteeacertainqualityofmediaFonaswellasoverseeingtheprogrammefromaprofessional

perspecFve. 486

5.4Conclusion

Toconclude,itcanbesaidthatmediaFonisaverypromisingalternaFvetocourtproceedings.The

benefitsareplenFfulandcouldcreatebothcreaFveandsaFsfactoryoutcomes.Thecomparison

betweenGermany and South Africa showed how innovaFve and versaFle the use ofmediaFon

couldbe. Thechallengehowever remainsas tohowto reap thebenefitsofmediaFon,which487

goeshandinhandwiththequesFonofhowtoimplementmediaFon.

What is important to those that stand to benefit from mediaFon is certainty around when

mediaFonwillbeusedandtheprocessitself,andbeingabletoalmostimmediatelyreceivesome

benefitfromtheget-go.IfmediaFononlyrevealsitsbenefitsduringlaterstagesoftheprocessit

mightnotbeenFcingenough.Courtsarewellknowntopeople;therefore,inorderformediaFon

toplayalargerpart indisputesithastomoreenFcingintermsoftheimmediatelyfeltbenefits,

suchasaccessibilityandpricing.

Larsson L Begegnung Fördern: Mediation in Theorie und Praxis (2009) Chapter 1 485

Behn S et al. Mediation an Schulen: Eine bundesweite Evaluation (2006) location 2950486

Behn S et al. Mediation an Schulen: Eine bundesweite Evaluation (2006) 487


ThecomparisonbetweenGermanyandSouthAfricahasshownthatintroducingmediaFonismore

thansimplypassinglegislaFonwhichpromotesmediaFon.LegislaFonthatforcesmediaFonmight

not create the same outcome and astude towardsmediaFon as voluntarymediaFon and also

seemstobeatoddswiththecharacterisFcsofmediaFon.CreaFngafuncFonalmediaFonsystem

that is accessible to thepublic is a complex task,which involves various factors. The success of

mediaFoninvolvescreaFnganenvironmentthathasconfidenceinmediaFonasawaytoresolvea

dispute. This iswhere theGermanmodel in thefieldsof sports and schoolmediaFonbecomes

important. In sports, insteadof forcingparFes toa@endmediaFon, theparFeshaveachoice to

a@endforamore lenientpunishment.Since lengthybansareokenfearedbythesportsparFes,

theymakethechoicetoa@endmediaFonthemselves.ThegoalofsportsmediaFon istoensure

that the type of conflict under consideraFon does not happen again. Introducing mediaFon488

programmes in schools couldhelp todevelop confidence and awareness; however, it shouldbe

borneinmindthatconfidencecanonlybegainedifthemediaFonprogrammesinschoolsarewell

thoughtoutandimplemented.Nonetheless,mediaFonprogrammesareagoodstarFngpointboth

toincreasetheatmosphereinschoolsandtochangethepercepFonofmediaFon.

InaddiFon,asuccessfulsystemofmediaFondependsoncreaFngbodiesandenFFes,suchasthe

CCMAinSouthAfrica,thataretrustworthy,reliableandaccessible.MediaFoncentresoutsideof

onlytheCCMA(andthebargainingcouncils)inSouthAfricacouldbeadvantageousinthisregard.

Suchcentresshouldideallybelocatedinareaswherepeoplehaveeasyaccess.Staffhastobewell

trained,professionalandethical. InthisregardtheGermanexamplecouldbebeneficial inSouth

Africa,sincetheMediaJonActdictatesruleswithwhichamediatorhastocomplyandcreatesa

verifiedsystemofmediaFon.

UlFmately,mediaFon isaviableopFon inawiderangeoffields,provided ithasbeengiventhe

necessary amount of thought and resources. MediaFon has the ability to replace and relieve

overburdenedandexpensivecourtsystems,whileatthesameFmeencouragingthepublictoview

disputesinadifferentlight.ItisdefinitelyworthpursuingfurtherinSouthAfricaandhasalready

yieldedsomeposiFveresultsinthefieldoflabourlawspecifically.

WordCount:29996

Ribler A et al. Mediation und Konfliktmanagement (2017) 2 ed 610488


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