IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
2 Nov - 7 Nov 2025
Session information
Mediation - should Judges encourage or obstruct it?
Wednesday 5 November (1115 - 1230)
Committee(s)
Judges' Forum
(Lead)
Description
Mediation is a well established form of dispute resolution. Many judges were involved with it in practice. Many judges return to it after completing public service. Is it a good idea? What are the befits of judicial support for mediation? Is it an appropriate adjunct for formal court processes? What are the appropriate mediation processes around the world? Do these vary between Africa, Asia, America and Europe? Should retired judges act as mediators?
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| Justice Ngozika Okaisabor | Court of Appeal, Abuja, Nigeria; Member, Judges' Forum Advisory Board |
Speakers
| Hon Justice Nene Amegatcher | Sam Okudzeto and Associates, Accra, Ghana; Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Judges' Forum |
| Hon Justice Olasumbo Goodluck | High Court of FCT, Abuja, Nigeria; Scholarship Officer, Judges' Forum |
| Hermann Knott | Kunz Lawyers, Köln, Germany; Projects Officer, Mediation Committee |
| Elisabeth Loukas | Law Office of Elisabeth H Loukas, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA; Chair, Family Law Committee |
| Steven Richman | American Bar Association, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Chair, Bar Issues Commission Policy Committee |
| Carol Zhu | Zhong Lun, Shanghai, China; Treasurer, Diversity and Equality Law Committee |