The Mentorship Scheme of the Worshipful Company
of Arbitrators
The Company’s educational objectives are looked after by the Education Committee of the Company. We support education at all levels in private dispute resolution, particularly through the Company’s Mentorship Scheme. This Mentorship Scheme is unique in the UK and is a flagship programme of the Company.
The Mentorship Scheme offers practical experience and mentoring to those progressing their private dispute resolution careers, whether in arbitration, mediation or adjudication and whether in the UK or internationally, whether or not this involves further professional qualifications or not. The Mentorship is a two year programme, although this may be extended by a further twelve months. It is spent shadowing a third party neutral who may practice in the areas of arbitration, mediation or adjudication or a combination of these. The principal objective is to provide practical experience of procedural matters and hearings and awards in arbitration and decisions in adjudication and the opportunity to observe and then assist at mediations.
We plan to have around 30 participants in the Mentorship Scheme at any one time. Every effort will be made to match each participant with a suitable Mentor. A set of criteria has been established for participants, with the emphasis firmly on quality and not quantity. These criteria are available and, in summary, emphasise a sound academic background and/or appropriate work experience, the particular qualities necessary for private dispute resolution and the ability to observe confidentiality. Candidates will usually already have a professional qualification and hence be in the post-experience stage. They will also be strongly motivated and articulate with strong communication skills.
Participants will be expected to keep a logbook and to liaise regularly with their Mentor. They will also be expected to meet or aspire to meet the criteria for acceptance as a Freeman of the Company and to apply for the freedom of the Company within 12 months of joining the Mentorship Scheme. For more details see here.
The Company has a programme to encourage contact and communication between participants, so that they can share experiences, and organises an annual get-together for those in the Scheme. If you think that the Mentorship Scheme is for you, please apply to John Hammond (clerk@arbitratorscompany.org), Clerk to the Company, who will forward correspondence to those administering the Scheme at the time. The Company also provides loans and/or grants through its Charitable Trust for worthy candidates who wish to embark upon education in private dispute resolution. For more details of this, please see this page.