ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this handbook. The handbook explains invaluable theories, research, and practice of world-class professionals who have dedicated their lives to the craft and study of mediation. It reveals a solid collection of mediator characteristics and skills that may contribute to the advancement of solid standards for the conduct of mediators. The handbook organizes around a number of significant contexts where mediators work and the sequence of contexts is as follows: new age, relational, organizational and institutional, community, environmental, intercultural and international mediation contexts. It focuses on mediating conflicts within intimate and/or family relational settings, which can arguably be among the most sensitive settings because of the close bonds and/or emotional ties surrounding these types of relationships. The handbook also features mediating disputes within organizational settings such as criminal justice, governmental, health care, court, commercial, and other institutional settings.
