h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In one of our local schools - a really rough school - they have started training some kids - right through the age groups - to mediate and help control fights in the playground, etc. If this really gets going, it is certainly acting where learning to resolve conflicts by discussion is really needed the most, at least in society.

Kids are far more open to this sort of thing, provided it's sorted out before they are, say, 13.

Mediation in schools, colleges and prisons is called 'peer mediation' because it is always subject to 'adult supervision.

If you look at the Quakers organisation website you will find information about 'LEAP' plus resources for primary schools and secondary schools.

Mediation is non-judgemental. It provides a 'safe' forum for communication. Unlike courts and tribunals, 'joint meetings' can become very emotional, so proper training is essential.

Practitioners claim it works for between 50% and 90% of users(compared with about 15% satisfaction for courts) and unlike legal confrontation, the cooperative approach tends to mend relationships.