4 May 2009

Dundee launches international dispute resolution programme

Mediation and alternative means of dispute resolution are becoming increasingly prominent in the legal world at every level from international investment disputes to intellectual property claims. Now the University of Dundee has developed a new distance learning Masters programme - unique in the UK - in International Dispute Resolution to give lawyers a stronger grounding in this key area.

As economic circumstances worsen internationally, clients increasingly are unwilling to commit large sums to litigation where the risk of success and the overall costs are unknown or unascertainable.

The new programme being offered by the School of Law at Dundee has been designed to give postgraduate students expertise in dispute resolution mechanisms beyond simply litigating.

In view of the economic downturn, it is also becoming increasingly important for lawyers to build new skills.

This programme gives students a solid grounding in International Dispute Resolution offering modules on Mediation, Arbitration, Negotiation and International Litigation.

Methods like negotiation or arbitration can be deployed for different types of cases and at different times, so the client can have a bespoke service as opposed to forcing them into the ‘one shape fits all’ litigation which takes considerable time, expense and rarely preserves the business or other relationship between the parties.

Mediation has recently been deployed or considered in the following cases:

• the Slovenia/Croatia border dispute (mediation offered by the EU)
• the long-running dispute between music industry bosses and ISPs and server operators in New Zealand
• the copyright infringements dispute between Apple and Psystar, the ‘Mac Cloner’

Graduates of the new programme can earn a range of qualifications in addition to an LLM degree, including eligibility for Membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an Accreditation in Advanced Negotiation Skills for Lawyers from Mediation Scotland, a Certificate in Mediation Skills from Mediation Scotland and an Accreditation in Mediation Implementation for Lawyers from Mediation Scotland.

'This is an outstanding package of qualifications for anyone wanting to broaden and develop their skills,' said Dr David Parratt, Advocate, FCIArb.

The programme is tailored to fit the requirements of those who may wish to work and concurrently take on additional study to obtain all of the further qualifications which this degree offers. Flexible learning is paramount. While it is possible to complete the full LLM there are also options of enrolling for a Certificate or a Diploma in International Dispute Resolution.

Anyone interested in getting further information should contact:
Vikki Watson
Distance Learning Secretary
School of Law
University of Dundee
DUNDEE, DD1 4HN
law-idr@dundee.ac.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

What you can get:

LLM in International Dispute Resolution

Eligibility for MCIArb from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Accreditation in Advanced Negotiation Skills for Lawyers from Mediation Scotland

Certificate in Mediation Skills from Mediation Scotland

Accreditation in Mediation Implementation for Lawyers from Mediation Scotland

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk