An important subject for mediators is how to distill from the various codes of mediation ethics the essential principles that these codes have in common. Such codes -- each with somewhat differing provisions -- have been developed by the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution, the Academy of Family Mediators, and the American Bar Association, among others. The ten principles outlined below are a compilation of what I believe are commonly accepted principles of mediation ethics.
This list, of necessity, over-simplifies the subject; a brief article cannot capture all of the nuances of ethical principles. Also, this list borrows heavily from many writing in the field – indeed, the point of such a list is not originality but an attempt to discern the principles on which there is consensus. Finally, this list is a work in process; principles and standards are evolving as the field of mediation matures. For the moment, however, the following seem to be the basic principles of
