{"id":2055,"date":"2025-04-02T20:57:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T20:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kc.hdsign.dk\/mediation-and-arbitration\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T18:25:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T18:25:33","slug":"mediation-and-arbitration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kabelchristensen.dk\/en\/services\/mediation-and-arbitration\/","title":{"rendered":"Mediation and Conciliation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Conflicts can arise between parties at any stage of a project. It is crucial to address these conflicts before they escalate.
The conflict escalation ladder below helps us understand the stages a conflict may go through and provides a better basis for assessing its current state. <\/p>

These seven stages demonstrate how a conflict can escalate and become more severe if not managed early and effectively. It is important to be aware of these stages to intervene and attempt to resolve the conflict before it reaches the highest levels of hostility and polarization. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The seven stages of a conflict<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"resolving a conflict effectively requires a structured approach to fully understand it. Here is a seven-step method for conflict analysis\u00bb\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Tom Kabel Christensen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Stage 1<\/strong><\/p>

Disagreement:<\/h3>

This is the initial stage where differences in opinions or perceptions arise. At this stage, parties are still willing to discuss and attempt to find a solution to the problem constructively <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 2<\/strong><\/p>

Personalization:<\/h3>

The conflict starts to become personal. Parties focus more on each other’s character or personal faults rather than the actual problem. Misunderstandings and assumptions can exacerbate the situation. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 3<\/strong><\/p>

Problem escalation:<\/h3>

The conflict expands and begins to involve more issues and problems. Each party brings up additional complaints, making the conflict more complex and difficult to resolve. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 4<\/strong><\/p>

Communication breakdown:<\/h3>

At this stage, communication breaks down. Parties no longer speak openly with each other and avoid direct conversations. This can lead to increased mistrust and frustration. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 5<\/strong><\/p>

Enemy images:<\/h3>

Parties start viewing each other as enemies and form negative images of one another. They focus solely on the negative aspects of the other party and lose the ability to see the situation from the other’s perspective. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 6<\/strong><\/p>

Open hostility:<\/h3>

The conflict becomes overtly hostile. Parties may actively harm each other, either verbally or physically. Hostilities can be direct or indirect, and there is no willingness to cooperate. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 7<\/strong><\/p>

Polariszation:<\/h3>

Parties are completely separated and can no longer find a way back to reconciliation without external help. The conflict is at its peak, and the relationship may be permanently damaged unless intervened by a third party, such as a mediator or conflict resolver. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The seven stages of conflict resolution<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Stage 1<\/strong><\/p>

Identify the problem<\/h3>

Describe the ConflictDes:<\/strong> Start by defining what the conflict is about. What are the specific issues or disagreements? Ensure that all parties have a common understanding of the conflict. <\/p>

Listen Actively:<\/strong> Hear both parties’ viewpoints and concerns thoroughly. Active listening helps uncover the underlying causes of the conflict <\/p>

Agree to Disagree<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 2<\/strong><\/p>

Acknowledge emotions:<\/h3>

Validate Feelings: <\/strong>Recognize that all parties have emotions related to the conflict and that these emotions are legitimate. This helps create an atmosphere of respect and understanding. <\/p>

Express Empathy:<\/strong> Show empathy for the other party’s viewpoint and feelings. This can help break down barriers and open the door to constructive dialogue <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 3<\/strong><\/p>

Find common ground:<\/h3>

Identify Shared Interests:<\/strong> Determine what the involved parties have in common and what they both want to achieve. Shared interests can form the basis for solutions that satisfy both parties. <\/p>

Build Consensus:<\/strong> Work towards agreement on what needs to be resolved and how. Summarize the areas of agreement before proceeding <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 4<\/strong><\/p>

Generate possible solutions:<\/h3>

Brainstorm:<\/strong> Consider various ways to resolve the conflict. Brainstorm without judgment or criticism of the suggestions. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible. <\/p>

Evaluate Alternatives:<\/strong> Discuss the different solutions proposed. Assess the pros and cons of each solution in relation to the parties’ interests. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 5<\/strong><\/p>

Choose a solution:<\/h3>

Agree on a Solution:<\/strong> Select the solution that best meets the needs and interests of all parties. Ensure that the solution is realistic and feasible. <\/p>

Commit:<\/strong> All parties should commit to the chosen solution and agree on how it will be implemented.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 6<\/strong><\/p>

Develop an action plan:<\/h3>

Detail the Plan:<\/strong> Create a concrete plan for implementing the solution. Define clear steps and responsibilities for each party. <\/p>

Set Timelines:<\/strong> Agree on timelines for when each part of the action plan should be completed. This helps keep the process on track. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stage 7<\/strong><\/p>

Evaluate and follow up:<\/h3>

Monitor Implementation:<\/strong> Keep track of how the solution is working in practice. Are there needs for adjustments or additional efforts? <\/p>

Evaluate Results:<\/strong> Meet again after some time to assess if the conflict has been resolved satisfactorily and if the desired results have been achieved.<\/p>

Learn from Experience:<\/strong> Reflect on what was learned during the conflict and resolution process. This can help handle future conflicts more effectively. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u201dBy following these steps, one can systematically approach conflict resolution and increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome for all parties involved\u201d<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Tom Kabel Christensen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Mediation & conciliation<\/h2>

Conflicts can be resolved through Mediation & Conciliation as per AB18, ABR18, ABT18, AB Simplified, and ABR18 Simplified, or through other voluntary arrangements. <\/p>

Mediation & Conciliation involves a short process aimed at achieving a settlement of the parties’ dispute through a meeting with the assistance of a mediator or conciliator.<\/p>

According to the rules of the Arbitration Board (Arbitration Tribunal), the process can be concluded in less than one month. Parties should therefore be prepared for short deadlines, including proposals for mediators and scheduling meetings.<\/p>

The Arbitration Board has adopted its own rules for mediation & conciliation, as outlined in the Rules for Mediation & Conciliation 2018.<\/p>

If mediation or conciliation is conducted based on an agreement under AB-18 (etc.), either party may request mediation or conciliation at any time during the construction or engineering process, provided that the parties have previously completed the negotiation procedure for disputes as stated in AB-18<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Differences between mediation and conciliation in the VBA regime:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mediation and ConciliationAccording to the Arbitration Board's Procedural Rules \u00a7 4 og \u00a7 5<\/strong><\/td>
Mediator<\/strong>\u00a74<\/center><\/td>
Conciliator<\/strong>\u00a75<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leads the Process<\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assists the parties in clarifying their points of dispute,
\r\npositions, and interests<\/td>		\u2713<\/b><\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assists the parties in reaching a resolution of the dispute through settlement<\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can propose settlement suggestions<\/td><\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advises the parties on the likely outcome or uncertainties of a potential arbitration case<\/td><\/td>\u2713<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Provides legal, financial, or technical advice to the parties either collectively or individually<\/td>Does not provide legal, financial, or technical advice to the parties, as this is the role of lawyers, consultants, or other professionals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Makes decisions on the parties' dispute<\/td>No, it is up to the parties themselves to either agree on a settlement or request a quick decision or arbitration.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Requests for mediation or conciliation must follow the rules for mediation & consiliation 2018:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a7 2.<\/strong> A case for mediation or conciliation is initiated by submitting a request to the Arbitration Board for mediation or conciliation.<\/p>\n

\u00a72 Stk. 2.<\/strong> The request can also be submitted by an arbitration tribunal handling the relevant dispute.<\/p>\n

\u00a7 3.<\/strong> A case for mediation or conciliation can only be commenced after the parties have completed an agreed negotiation procedure for the dispute.<\/p>\n

\u00a73 Stk. 2.<\/strong> Mediation or conciliation cannot be initiated if there is an ongoing case for a fast decision on the same dispute, or if a party has submitted a request for such a case within 10 working days after requesting mediation or conciliation.<\/p>\n

\u00a73 Stk. 3.<\/strong> Mediation or conciliation cannot be initiated if there is an ongoing case about a decision on security related to the same dispute.<\/p>\n

\u00a73 Stk. 4.<\/strong> The parties are obligated to cooperate in carrying out the mediation or conciliation procedure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Read more about mediation and conciliation at the arbitration board here. <\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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WE RECOMMEND THAT BEFORE INITIATING MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION:<\/h3>\n