Navigating Real-Life Mediation.

The Outdoor Chat at IIMC Colombo 2023 with Pascal Comvalius and Jean-Christophe Barth-Coullaré – Moderated by Binuri Weerasinghe

Colombo, Sri Lanka – 24th August 2023

The International Investor-State Mediation Competition (IIMC) Colombo 2023 concluded its eventful week on the 27th of August. A key component of delivering an experience ‘Beyond a Competition,’ at this year’s edition of IIMC Colombo, was the set of Panel Discussions that discussed the relevance, scope, and potential of mediation as a mechanism of the settlement of Investor-State disputes.

One such Panel Discussion was the insightful Outdoor Chat that delved into the intricacies of building a successful career and an international brand in the field of mediation. Held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, this session was a highlight of the IIMC Week as it was a distinctly more relaxed conversation, encouraging teams and experts engrossed in intense competition to look beyond the realms of competitive mediation, to come together to learn with, and from, each other.

The topic for the discussion, "How to build your career and brand in mediation: Chronicles from real-life international practice," resonated with both the budding mediators who took part at IIMC as Mediator and Negotiator Teams, and Expert Assessors, who are seasoned professionals in mediation, seeking to refine their skills and further chart their path in the world of mediation. As the evening set in, casting a warm glow over the Outdoor Canopy at the Mihilaka Medura at BMICH, the panellists and the audience engaged in a thought-provoking conversation, moderated by the MCB’s very own Binuri Weerasinghe .

With such an exciting topic and platform for discussion, the event drew participants and attendees eager to gain insights from real-life international practitioners Pascal Comvalius and Jean-Christophe BARTH-COULLARé .

Pascal is an IMI-certified mediator and a Certified Hostage/Crisis Negotiator. He obtained an MSc in Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis at the Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He specializes in mediating family and criminal cases and is a visiting faculty member at the Maharashtra National Law University in Mumbai for the master’s degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. He is the author of the book ‘Mediation in Criminal Cases.’

Jean-Christophe is an international mediator and serves as the Executive Director of the World Association of PPP Units and Professionals (WAPPP). He specializes in promoting governance and deal mediation as a performance catalyst for better public-private partnerships. Jean-Christophe co-authored a guide on Early-Stage Governance and ‘Making PPPs fit the 2030 Agenda,’ and is also part of the faculty at the Glion MSc program in Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. He holds an Executive MBA from ESSEC & Mannheim Business School, along with previous law degrees.

With Pascal from a background of mediating criminal and family cases, and Jean-Christophe from a background in business and international deal mediation, a whole spectrum of viewpoints and opinions were brought to the table.

Pascal recounted various real-life experiences that showcased the dynamic nature of the profession of mediating criminal cases. His stories, filled with anecdotes from criminal and family disputes, captured the essence of mediation as a problem-solving process that requires adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and empathy.

Pascal advised aspiring mediators to “embrace diversity and cultivate cross-cultural understanding.”

He highlighted that this skill set is invaluable in international mediation, where mediators often find themselves navigating the complexities of multiple cultural backgrounds.

Jean-Christophe, a prominent figure in international deal mediation, complemented Pascal’s insights with his perspective. He emphasized the importance of investing in continuous learning and staying updated on global mediation trends.

In describing how a mediation competition round may be different from a real-life mediation, Jean-Christophe stressed the importance of the process of pre-mediation and how helpful that may be for clients, especially commercial entities. He also emphasized the need for mediators to establish a strong personal brand that aligns with their core values.

This includes consistently demonstrating integrity, professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to ethical conduct, as a mediator's brand is a reflection of their character and the way they handle negotiations and conflicts. In addition, touching on external factors required for mediators to sustain their practice, he shed light on the importance of a strong support system.

The audience, consisting of students, professionals, and mediation enthusiasts, had the opportunity to pose questions to the panellists, opening the door to open dialogue and varied opinions on topics of international mediation, ranging from the suitability of using mediation for criminal cases to the available support systems that mediators could rely on.

The Outdoor Chat at IIMC Colombo 2023 concluded with a networking session, allowing participants to connect with the panellists and fellow attendees and the Announcement of Semi-Finalist Negotiator and Mediator teams. The event left attendees inspired and equipped with valuable insights to further their careers in the field of mediation.

The Moot Court Bench thanks both Pascal and Jean-Christophe for joining The Chat as our panellists. Their stories and advice resonated with both aspiring and established mediators, emphasizing the significance of passion, adaptability, reputation, and continuous learning in building a successful mediation career. As the event wrapped up, it was evident that The Chat had encouraged mediation professionals and enthusiasts to exchange ideas, learn from experts, and foster meaningful connections in the world of international mediation.

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