1.INTRODUCTION 1
Ⅰ.Aim and Purpose 1
Ⅱ.Structure and Scope 4
Ⅲ.Background and Context 7
Ⅳ.Conclusion 9
2.WHAT IS CONVENTION MEDIATION? 10
Ⅰ.Introduction 10
Ⅱ.Definitional Difficulties 11
A.Distinguishing Mediation from Other Forms of Assisted Dispute Resolution 11
B.Distinguishing Mediation from Voluntary Return and Amicable Resolution 13
C.Defining Mediation 16
D.The Mediation Process 20
i.Legal Structures to Support Mediation 20
ii.Aspects of the Mediation Process 23
Ⅲ.Place in the Procedure 24
A.Introduction 24
B.The Place of Convention Mediation 25
i.Provision of Information 25
ii.Instigating Mediation 26
iii.Mediation and the Court Hearing are not Equivalent 27
iv.The Focus of Mediation 29
IV.Conclusion 31
3.HOW CAN A MEDIATION PROCESS FIT WITHIN THECONSTRAINTS OF THE CONVENTION? 33
Ⅰ.Introduction 33
Ⅱ.Convention Mediation as a Specialism 33
A.Introduction 33
B.Approaches to Convention Mediation 34
Ⅲ.Responding to Specific Challenges 39
A.Introduction 39
B.The Scope of Mediation 39
C.Expeditious Procedures 42
D.Seising the Court 45
E.Confidentiality 47
F.Costs and Sources of Funding 49
G.Distance Telecommunications 51
H.Enforceability 52
I.Training and Qualifications of Mediators 57
Ⅳ.Conclusion 60
4.WHY MEDIATE IN CONVENTION CASES? 61
Ⅰ.Introduction 61
Ⅱ.Responding to Concerns Surrounding the Operation of the Convention 61
A.Background and Context 61
B.Avoiding Multiple Relocations and Promoting Contact 64
C.Welfare Concerns 65
D.The Rights and Interests of the Child 69
E.Delays 70
Ⅲ.Additional Added Value 71
A.Introduction 71
B.Benefits Inherent in the Mediation Process 71
C.Wider Added Value 73
IV.Conclusion 75
5.THE VOICE OF THE CHILD 76
Ⅰ.Introduction 76
Ⅱ.The Voice of the Child in Mediation 76
Ⅲ.The Voice of the Child in Convention Court Proceedings 79
Ⅳ.The Voice of the Child in Convention Mediation 86
Ⅴ.Conclusion 90
6.CONCLUSIONS 92
Ⅰ.From Enthusiasm 92
Ⅱ. ...To Action 93
Appendix 97
Bibliography 99
Index 115