Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"No Mediation Privilege as yet". Why not?
delivered by Michel Kallipetis KC
CMC's First Academic Lecture hosted by the UCL Centre for Dispute Resolution
00:00 - Welcome by Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean of UCL Laws
03:45 - Introductions by Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Chair of the Civil Mediation Council
07:40 - Lecture by Michel Kallipetis KC
01:08:50 Comments from Professor David Ormerod KC
About the lecture
It has long been held that there is no specific privilege that arises in the context of mediation. The courts continue to maintain that without-prejudice privilege is sufficient to protect discussions that take place with a view to settle disputes where mediation takes place. This lecture will consider whether the time is now ripe and appropriate for the courts to recognise the need for a distinct form of privilege separate from without-prejudice privilege: mediation privilege.
Introductions by Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean of UCL Laws and Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Chair of the Civil Mediation Council
Q&A facilitated by Dr John Sorabji and Dr Anna Howard
Closing remarks by Professor David Ormerod KC
About the speaker
An alumnus of UCL, and 40 years practice in the field of general commercial, professional negligence and employment law, Michel left Littleton Chambers, of which he had been Head, and founded Independent Mediators Ltd, to practice as a full-time mediator. He is a Distinguished Fellow and Past President of the International Academy of Mediators. He was the first Chairman of the England and Wales Bar Council ADR Committee, a member of the working party which drafted the EU Code of Practice for Mediators, and gave expert opinion to JURI, the legal service committee of the European Parliament, prior to its adopting the European ADR Directive, and was a representative at the UNCITRAL Working Group II which drafted the Singapore Convention He is recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a Thought Leader and was Mediator of the Year in 2017. He has been in full time mediation practice for nearly two decades and covers a wide field of civil and commercial disputes in the UK and internationally. He has long advocated for a distinct mediation privilege.
About The Civil Mediation Council
The Civil Mediation Council is delighted to announce its inaugural Academic Lecture, hosted in partnership with UCL’s Centre for Dispute Resolution. This landmark event also marks a valued collaboration between the CMC and UCL, as we work together to advance the profile of mediation within Higher Education and highlight its vital role in dispute resolution.
About UCL Centre for Dispute Resolution
UCL's Centre for Dispute Resolution is a new academic hub dedicated to promoting greater understanding, accessibilty and development of dispute resolution to advance the rule of law for all. The new research centre - which launched in October 2025 - is led by Co-Directors Associate Professor John Sorabji and Professor David Ormerod, and brings together a wide range of internationally leading scholars from within the Faculty, as well as experienced and prestigious honorary academic staff and visiting members.
The Centre is an academic member of the Civil Mediation Council and is delighted to be partnering with the Civil Mediation Council to deliver its inaugural Academic Lecture, which will be hosted at UCL Faculty of Laws.
"No Mediation Privilege as yet". Why not?
delivered by Michel Kallipetis KC
CMC's First Academic Lecture hosted by the UCL Centre for Dispute Resolution
00:00 - Welcome by Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean of UCL Laws
03:45 - Introductions by Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Chair of the Civil Mediation Council
07:40 - Lecture by Michel Kallipetis KC
01:08:50 Comments from Professor David Ormerod KC
About the lecture
It has long been held that there is no specific privilege that arises in the context of mediation. The courts continue to maintain that without-prejudice privilege is sufficient to protect discussions that take place with a view to settle disputes where mediation takes place. This lecture will consider whether the time is now ripe and appropriate for the courts to recognise the need for a distinct form of privilege separate from without-prejudice privilege: mediation privilege.
Introductions by Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean of UCL Laws and Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Chair of the Civil Mediation Council
Q&A facilitated by Dr John Sorabji and Dr Anna Howard
Closing remarks by Professor David Ormerod KC
About the speaker
An alumnus of UCL, and 40 years practice in the field of general commercial, professional negligence and employment law, Michel left Littleton Chambers, of which he had been Head, and founded Independent Mediators Ltd, to practice as a full-time mediator. He is a Distinguished Fellow and Past President of the International Academy of Mediators. He was the first Chairman of the England and Wales Bar Council ADR Committee, a member of the working party which drafted the EU Code of Practice for Mediators, and gave expert opinion to JURI, the legal service committee of the European Parliament, prior to its adopting the European ADR Directive, and was a representative at the UNCITRAL Working Group II which drafted the Singapore Convention He is recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a Thought Leader and was Mediator of the Year in 2017. He has been in full time mediation practice for nearly two decades and covers a wide field of civil and commercial disputes in the UK and internationally. He has long advocated for a distinct mediation privilege.
About The Civil Mediation Council
The Civil Mediation Council is delighted to announce its inaugural Academic Lecture, hosted in partnership with UCL’s Centre for Dispute Resolution. This landmark event also marks a valued collaboration between the CMC and UCL, as we work together to advance the profile of mediation within Higher Education and highlight its vital role in dispute resolution.
About UCL Centre for Dispute Resolution
UCL's Centre for Dispute Resolution is a new academic hub dedicated to promoting greater understanding, accessibilty and development of dispute resolution to advance the rule of law for all. The new research centre - which launched in October 2025 - is led by Co-Directors Associate Professor John Sorabji and Professor David Ormerod, and brings together a wide range of internationally leading scholars from within the Faculty, as well as experienced and prestigious honorary academic staff and visiting members.
The Centre is an academic member of the Civil Mediation Council and is delighted to be partnering with the Civil Mediation Council to deliver its inaugural Academic Lecture, which will be hosted at UCL Faculty of Laws.
