06/10/2026
Effective mediation requires more than knowing the mediation process. A mediator must also understand the legal environment in which the dispute exists.
That principle was at the heart of our recently concluded ADR and Mediation Training for staff of SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, facilitated by Karl Mediation and Arbitration Center (KMAC).
While the programme strengthened participants' broader ADR and mediation competencies, particular emphasis was placed on three areas where disputes are often legally complex, emotionally sensitive and deeply connected to continuing relationships:
Children matters — including the best interests of the child, parental responsibility, care and custody concerns, safeguarding considerations and identifying matters that may or may not appropriately be mediated.
Succession and inheritance — exploring wills, intestate succession, competing family interests, inheritance disputes and the role mediation can play in helping families resolve conflict while preserving relationships.
Land matters — examining disputes involving ownership, family land, boundaries and succession-related interests, while appreciating the legal rights and documentation that often sit behind the conflict.
The programme deliberately moved beyond theory.
Through case studies, simulations and role plays, participants were challenged to identify the real issues beneath stated positions, manage emotionally charged conversations, recognise power imbalances, protect vulnerable parties and work towards legally informed and practical outcomes.
Our approach at KMAC is simple:
Mediators should understand not only how to facilitate a conversation, but also the nature of the dispute they are being called upon to help resolve.
We are grateful to SOS Children’s Villages Kenya for investing in practical ADR capacity for its team and for the opportunity to contribute to professionals working in areas where effective dispute management can have a direct impact on children, families and communities.
At KMAC, we remain committed to strengthening legally informed, ethical and practice-ready ADR capacity as part of the broader pursuit of access to justice.
