The Cayman Islands Association of Mediators and Arbitrators (“CIAMA”) is a not-for-profit company which was formed for the following reasons:
- to be a neutral and independent body to represent and promote civil and commercial mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution options as alternatives to litigation and thereby to further law reform and access to justice for the general public;
- to create a culture of best practice by encouraging research, continuing education and quality standards in the field; by issuing codes of good practice; and by facilitating accreditation of individual mediators and arbitrators;
- to be a portal for access by potential users of and referrers to mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution options including judges, lawyers, business and the general public;
- to establish and foster the fullest understanding amongst the judiciary, lawyers, business and the general public of mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution options, including means of access, cost-benefits and the simplicity of mediation procedures;
- to identify and lobby for effective legal and regulatory provisions to support mediation, arbitration and dispute resolution and its effective use; and to offer to government and others access to the considered views of the dispute resolution community as a whole;
- to collate and offer appropriate information on and about mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution options including the means of access to services and practitioners; and,
- to provide a complaints system for participants in mediation, arbitration and other forms.
The goal of those involved in establishing the Association is to facilitate the development of an acceptance of mediation and arbitration as forms of dispute resolution and to create a focal point for the promotion of such services, training and continuing education for those interested and involved in the practice of dispute resolution.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process whereby a neutral mediator assists participants who are in dispute in arriving at a mutually agreeable solution. The dispute resolution process is relevant and of potential benefit to a very wide range of situations and disputes ranging from the most complex financial matters to personal injury disputes, matrimonial cases and workplace conflicts. Contrary to popular belief, mediators do not have to have legal qualifications in order to become a successful mediator. Mediators do not offer legal advice nor do they make evaluations or adjudicate claims.
What is Arbitration?
Arbitration differs from Mediation in that it is an adjudication process that is legally binding on the participants who agree to have their dispute adjudicated by this process.
The Association intends to engage in active dialogue with those institutions that can assist with this process including the judiciary, chamber of commerce and professional associations.
ASSOCIATION ACTING AS APPOINTING AUTHORITY
The Association will act as an appointing authority if parties to a dispute request it do so so. To request that the Association takes on that role please see the appointment request form.