Want to Become a Mediator? Choose to study LLB Law in the UK!
Do you have an uncanny gift for conflict resolution and are considered by friends and family to be conciliatory and always looking for peaceful solutions? This is a real and unique talent that is worth tapping into if you are planning your future or future career! By combining your interpersonal skills with your knowledge of law and psychology, you can become an established mediator. Find out how studying law in the UK can help you prepare for the profession.
Mediator? Find out what mediation is and how it is done
The basic definition of the profession is quite simple: a mediator is a person who conducts a mediation. If you imagine mediation as meetings between conflicting parties moderated by a person prepared to do so, you are quite right. However, the process is actually somewhat more complex: it requires careful preparation, to understand the situation and to develop a strategy for solving the problem.
What exactly does a mediator do?
His or her job is not only to organise meetings with conflicting parties.
The mediator’s duties also include:● getting to know the case: reading the documents, conducting preliminary interviews with the mediation participants; ● explaining the mediation, the mediator’s role and the roles of both parties; ● explaining the mediation to participants parties; ● preparing the materials needed during the meetings; ● taking notes – writing down participants’ statements, observations, findings; drafting a written agreement between the parties.
The main objective of mediation is to resolve the conflict situation between the parties and to reach a win-win solution. Conducting mediation often avoids going to court. This avoids the associated costs and stress.
What are the most common things mediators do in the UK?
Two types of mediation are most commonly carried out in the UK: family mediation and business mediation. When choosing to work as a mediator, you can choose which one you are more familiar with and develop your legal expertise in that particular area. A family mediator helps to resolve conflicts between spouses or other family members. Often help is requested by people who have been in conflict with each other for a long time and are contemplating divorce – well-conducted mediation can prevent a break-up or make it smoother.
Did you know that in the UK as many as 89% of mediations are successful? This shows the importance of the mediator’s role in resolving family problems. Business mediation is often equated with negotiation, but this is a mistake. The purpose of negotiation is to reach an agreement when setting the terms of cooperation. The need for mediation arises in a completely different situation – when there is a conflict between business partners, which they cannot resolve on their own. The role of the mediator is to resolve disputes, which often (but not always) occur precisely at the stage of business negotiations.
Mediator and barrister – what are the differences between these professions and what do they have in common?
It is often the case that a mediator and a barrister in the UK are graduates of the same course – LLB Law, which is an undergraduate degree in law. Both professions require a thorough knowledge of the law in a particular area: family, commercial companies, employment or other. However, the difference between the role of a mediator and a barrister is fundamental. A lawyer represents only one of the parties – his client, for whose benefit he acts. A mediator, on the other hand, is a person who is committed to achieving a win-win solution for both (or more) parties.
These professionals also do their work in different circumstances: the lawyer supports his or her clients already in the courtroom, during the hearing. Mediation, on the other hand, is carried out at an earlier stage – it is through mediation that a visit to the courtroom is often avoided. Not a master’s degree, but a sincere desire…
Do you need a degree to work as a mediator?
Currently, UK legislation does not regulate in any way who can practise as a mediator. This means that it is possible to mediate without a degree or experience. However, it is difficult to mediate starting from scratch. Clients looking for support during conflict situations are more likely to choose people with an extensive portfolio who have a track record of success. As a beginner, do you stand a chance of beating your competitors’ offers? It can be difficult, but that’s why it’s worth investing in a solid education that will give you a foundation for further development. The course of study most often chosen by those thinking about a career as a mediator in the UK is LLB Law – a Bachelor of Laws degree. As a graduate of a Polish high school, do you have a chance to study law at one of the prestigious British universities? Of course!
Find out what this course looks like in practice and what you need to do to get into your dream course.
Why study LLB Law? LLB Law, or Bachelor of Law, is an undergraduate law degree programme. They last 3 years as standard. During the course of study, students gain knowledge in various areas of law:● criminal, ● civil ● labour, ● family, ● constitutional, ● international, ● human rights.
Classes are held in the form of traditional lectures and seminars, conducted in groups of groups of up to 12 students. How do I get to study in the UK? Most UK universities require applicants to have passed the baccalaureate and to be able to speak English. You apply through the UCAS system, which converts your exam results into points.
During the admissions process you may be asked to show a language certificate: TOEFL, CAE or other. What if you don’t have a baccalaureate degree or your English language skills are inadequate? The Foundation Year – an extra year at university during which you gain basic knowledge and polish your business skills – may be the solution for you. After completing it, you can continue your studies as normal.
Can you combine studying law with work?
Law degree programmes in the UK are not as extensive as in Poland. There is less memory-based learning and more emphasis is placed on expanding knowledge on your own. Classes usually take students about 10-15 hours a week, for a total of three days a week. This means that you can easily find time for part-time work or an internship to help you better prepare for your work as a mediator.
What about after graduation? Opportunities to progress in the mediation profession
By graduating with an LLB Law in the UK, you can start working as a mediator straight away,however, many people opt for the next stage of their education: attending a mediator course run at one of the accredited organisations. Accreditation is provided by CMC (Civil Mediation Council), FMC (Family Mediation Council), The College of Mediators, among others. You can also complete your training and qualifications if you are already working as a mediator. A frequently chosen second field of study is psychology and studies related to HR or social sciences.
A career abroad, a profession you are passionate about and a future-oriented course? Start your LLB Law studies with Motivation Academy!
