Overview 

The Foundation for Sustainable Rule of Law Initiatives (FSRI) is an NGO dedicated to creating alternative dispute resolution centers which achieve timely, fair and peaceful conflict resolution in developing countries with overburdened and backlogged court systems. Founded in 2012, it has promoted fair and sustainable dispute resolution worldwide through the deployment of volunteer professionals, with expertise in mediation and ADR, to establish sustainable mediation programs run by the host countries who invite its services. The following initiatives and projects describe some of FSRI’s activities and achievements.

Balkans / South Eastern Europe

  • 
May, 2019 - An FSRI delegation of Vic and Jennifer Brandt visited Bulgaria, the Re- public of Georgia and Croatia, to carry out the following activities/initiatives:

    • Bulgaria - meetings w officers of the Sofia Chamber of Commerce to discuss more extensive use of mediation to service its members, use of on-line dispute resolution (ODR); advanced mediation training for mediators at the Bulgarian mediation center; judge training on proper selection of cases for referral and techniques for efficient and quality referrals; meetings with the Deputy Minister of Justice on new mediation programs, ODR, legislative initiatives to support mediation; and a presentation to law and business students at New Bulgaria University Law School on mediation and ADR techniques and strategies; meeting w administrators of the Bulgarian Mediation Center on techniques and practices for effective operation and administration of the City program.

    • Republic of Georgia - presentations on dispute resolution design for employment disputes at conferences sponsored by the European Business Association and J&T Consulting to an audience of corporations, in-house counsel, accountants, law firm attorneys, human resource professionals and NGOs; panel interview on national TV on mediation in business disputes; training of attorneys on use of mediation and effective skills to represent clients in mediation.

    • Croatia - meetings with executives of the Croatian Bar Association and trainings of lawyers on strategic use of mediation and ADR to better serve clients and expand services, and methods to convince clients to use mediation; presentations before the Croatian Association of Women on mediation techniques and dispute resolution; training of mediators of the Croatian Mediation Association; and presentation to students of the Vern Business School on mediation/ADR in the future of business and cross-border transactions.

  • September/October, 2017 - An FSRI delegation composed of Mediation Ambassador Jennifer Brandt and Professor David Weiss, visited Bulgaria, the Republic of Georgia and Croatia to work with the host countries in strengthening their existing mediation programs and procedures.

    • Bulgaria - FSRI participated in and presented advanced mediator training, co- sponsored and participated in a first ever national Bulgarian mediation conference, met with the Supreme Judicial Council (the highest court in the country), Judges of the regional Court of Sofia, Justice Ministry officials, key Sofia Bar Association officers, and met with various business organizations including the Sofia Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Vic presented a tailored training program to Bulgarian judges and mediators on proper case selection and referral techniques to enhance the quality and quantity of case referrals from the judiciary. At the Mediation Center in Sofia, FSRI provided counseling to the Center Coordinators on mediation center procedures, and thereafter met with the Rector of the University of National and World Economics to discuss expanding current curriculum on mediation and ADR subjects.

    • The Republic of Georgia - FSRI met with the Judges of the High Council to discuss future mediation initiatives. The delegation also met with the Rector of Tblisi State University to discuss ADR/mediation curriculum, and thereafter presented a lecture to law students on mediation legal practice, and provided advanced mediation training for the certified mediators in Georgia. Vic also made a presentation on mediation and dispute resolution techniques to the largest employer in Georgia, the Postal Service, followed by a meeting with its Chief Executive Officer on possible mediation dispute resolution mechanisms to be developed within the Postal Service.

    • Croatia - FSRI met with Zagreb bar executives and its mediators, and made a presentation regarding current developments and initiatives in mediation, focusing on approaches by its members to improve case referrals to the mediation center. We also met with a leading international law firm in Zagreb to discuss initiatives for more direct referrals from law firms to the Croatian Mediation Center. This was followed by a presentation by our delegation members to law and business students about future careers in mediation and ADR, and utilization of mediation in their professional careers. Our work in Zagreb concluded with a seminar to mediators and lawyers of the Croatian Mediation Association on the “best practices” in building a mediation practice, and new skills and techniques used by mediators to bring about a better quality of mediation process and improved settlement rates.

  • March, 2017 - On behalf of FSRI, Vic was invited to speak at, and participated in, an international conference on “Challenges of Georgian Labor Law” where he addressed ADR/mediation techniques in employment and labor relations, under the sponsorship of the Tblisi State University Law School and the International Labor Organization. Presenters and attendees came from a broad array of government, embassy, justice ministry, academic, employer and trade union organizations. Challenging issues regarding the building of strong democratic, dispute resolution institutions were addressed. The Foundation also participated in individual counseling and panel discussions regarding mediation systems and related “best practices” (Gudauri,Tblisi)

  • May, 2015 - In Tblisi, Georgia, FSRI reviewed, assessed and reported on current mediation programs and related counseling, coaching and mentoring of mediators/administrators; meetings with high-level judicial officers, judges, bar executives, private practitioners about mediation program strategies, systemic improvements and training; meetings with law school faculty and students, and related presentations on mediation/ADR with recommendations for expanded courses in these areas. Met with and provided recommendations to law ministry officials preparing legislation on mediation and ADR enactments. FSRI volunteer attorney John Koeppel joined Vic in this delegation.

  • May, 2015 - In Sofia, Bulgaria and Zagreb, Croatia, FSRI conducted follow-up meetings and evaluations on implementation of recommendations from earlier visits regarding modifications to mediation programs and systemic changes; expanded coaching and mentoring of mediators/administrators; follow-up meetings with high-level judicial officers, judges and bar executives on recommendations to strengthen case referrals and assignments to the mediation centers; prepared further recommendations for systemic improvements and training at existing mediation facilities. Participated in panel presentations and seminars on benefits and proper utilization of available mediation/ADR procedures, before business and legal groups. John Koeppel and Vic composed this delegation.

  • July, 2014 - FSRI reviewed, assessed and reported on current mediation programs and related counseling; mentoring/coaching of mediators/administrators; meetings with high level judicial officers, judges, national and local bar executives, private practitioners and trade association officers on mediation program strategies, systemic improvements and training (Sofia, Bulgaria; Zagreb, Croatia).

Brazil

  • November, 2017 - At the invitation of the Brazilian Center for Mediation and Arbitration (CBMA), and as a co-sponsor of its “National Conference on Mediation in Brazil”, FSRI President Vic Schachter traveled to Rio participated in the conference and engaged in several ADR related activities to strengthen existing programs and collaborate with the mediation community in Brazil. Vic made a plenary presentation, “Implementing Mediation Around the World: Key Challenges, Experiences and Strategies.” In addition, Vic and JAMS Founder and Mediator Bruce Edwards presented a special mediator training on “Breaking Impasse”. Also, at the invitation of Chief Judge Cesar Curry, one of the leading visionaries of mediation in Brazil, Vic presented a special lecture on mediation selection and referral techniques for judges, mediators and lawyers. Several individual and small group meetings were held for networking and planning next steps to support the growing integration of mediation and ADR within Brazil’s dispute resolution and judicial infrastructure.

  • May, 2016 - An FSRI delegation of Vic and FSRI Mediation Ambassador Jennifer Brandt visited Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Santa Catarina and Belo Horizonte to assess the status of mediation, and prospects for future development of mediation centers under Brazil’s new federal mediation law. The delegation made eighteen presentations to all levels of the judiciary, bar associations, mediators and before parliamentary representatives; identified key Brazilian stakeholders to implement new and improved mediation programs under the recently enacted law; and received invaluable feedback on how to best address Brazil’s unique needs.

India

  • November, 2019 - An FSRI delegation of Vic, FSRI Ambassador Jennifer Brandt, Neel Chatterjee of the Goodwin LLP firm, Shirish Gupta of JAMS, in coordination with Laila Ollapally and Rukmani Menon of CAMP, participated in various mediation initiatives in Bangalore, including: auditing of the Consumer Court program, meetings/trainings with judges and mediators of the Consumer Court program; meeting with major law firm lawyers on mediation initiatives and techniques for persuading clients to use ADR/mediation in commercial and corporate matters; visiting and related mediator conferences at the Bangalore Mediation Center; meeting with corporate and venture capital representatives on the use of mediation in business transactions; and coaching and strategic planning with CAMP officers/mediators.

    In addition, at the invitation of the Mediation & Conciliation Committee of the Calcutta High Court, FSRI and CAMP participated in a joint delegation to Calcutta to assess and make recommendations as to the operations of the Calcutta High Court Mediation Center, and those of the Commercial and District Courts. The delegation met and consulted with, and made presentations to, the High Court Justices and members of its Mediation Committee, legal representatives of public and private business entities, law firms, bar association officers and mediators, and provided training, coaching and systems assessment as appropriate.

  • Throughout 2017 - in coordination with FSRI Advisory Board Member Laila Ollapally, Vic has provided ongoing counsel to various mediation initiatives and particularly the development of Laila’s private mediation organization, the Center for Advanced Mediation Practice (CAMP). FSRI has co-sponsored and participated in several CAMP training programs for mediators. In further support of her efforts to promote mediation within the Indian business community, Vic counseled CAMP in establishing a contractual relationship with the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce to provide mediation services to its members. This unique arrangement can serve as a model to promote mediation throughout Indian business communities across the nation, as well as in other countries. FSRI Board Member and Professor Hiro Aragaki continued his work with a committee of prominent Indian mediators to draft more effective mediation legislation for consideration by the Law Ministry and Parliament of India. In addition, the many ongoing mediation centers throughout India in which we have been involved, and particularly in Bangalore, Delhi, Kerala, Chandigarh, Chennai and elsewhere, continue to provide services to many thousands of litigants throughout the country.

  • February, 2016 - FSRI led a delegation to Bangalore, India during which presentations were made to hundreds of students at XIME Graduate School of Business and Christ College of Law; consultations and training were provided to the Bangalore Mediation Centre (with its new Director and mediators); presentations were made at CAMP’s 2016 ADR Commercial Mediation Conclave; consultations were conducted with leading mediators on legislative reforms to strengthen mediation in India; and mediation training was given at the Centre for Advanced Mediation Practices. This delegation was composed of FSRI Board Members Hiro Aragaki, Rebecca Westerfied, Jay Folberg, Vic, and Advisory Board Member Laila Ollapally.

  • February, 2015 - FSRI co-sponsored and participated in planning of the American Bar Association Global Summit on Dispute Resolution, and chaired an international panel on “Strategies and Best Practices for Creating Sustainable Mediation Programs”. Over 200 participants from 18 countries were in attendance (New Delhi). Thereafter, in Bangalore, led a delegation to support the launch of CAMP, a private mediation center; co-sponsored and co-presented a series of training programs on Mediation Program Leadership Skills, Advanced Mediation Techniques and Mediation Advocacy, all of which was capped off with a first-ever “Mediation Conclave”, attended by over 100 leading law firms, corporations and mediators (Bangalore). The FSRI delegation included Board Members Rebecca Westerfield, Howard Herman and Vic, JAMS Co-Founder and mediator Bruce Edwards, federal court mediator and Director Claudia Bernard, and FSRI Ambassador Jennifer Brandt.

  • March, 2014 - FSRI did an assessment and report on operations of mediation centers, with recommendations for systems improvement; met with mediators and observed mediation sessions; counseled on administrative procedures and data maintenance; met with governing boards, bar association executives and attorneys on mediation initiatives, systems and procedures and utilization of mediation in litigation advocacy; participated in strategy meetings with High Court Justices on ADR and proposed case management systems. The FSRI delegation was composed of Vic, Jennifer Brandt and John Koeppel (New Delhi, Chandigarh, Cochin, Bangalore)

  • September, 2013 - FSRI trained Supreme Court Mediators, and facilitated a Supreme Court strategy conference on future India mediation initiatives; counseled on mediation programs in Delhi, and related conferences and strategy meetings with Justices of the High Court and Supreme Court.

    • Co-presented a 2-day commercial mediation program to experienced mediators from multiple states within India, in the first program of its kind under the auspices of the Bangalore Mediation Centre. Further reviewed the operations of the Bangalore Mediation Centre, and prepared a report to the governing board with improvements and recommendations for the Centre. The FSRI delegation and presenters included Board members Rebecca Westerfield and Vic, JAMS Co-Founder and Mediator Bruce Edwards.

    • Presented advanced training for mediators, audited the current mediation program and facilities, held meetings with the High Court governing body of the mediation center, and prepared recommendations and a report after a presentation of the findings to the Governing Board. Related meetings with the High Court justices were held during the process. (Chennai)

  • January, 2013 - Provided services in Bangalore (Karnataka), Kochin (Kerala), and Delhi at the respective Mediation Centers, including, but not limited to, advanced mediation training and coaching; assessed and updated alternative dispute resolution procedures; and consulted with Supreme and High Court Justices, Bar Association executives and Centre administrators to strategize and evaluate progress toward goals for improving mediation programs and expansion of dispute resolution centers.

  • February and March, 2012 - In Bangalore, Cochin, and Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), provided services at the Mediation Centers within each of these cities including advanced mediation training and coaching; assessed and updated ADR procedures; and consulted with High Court Justices, Bar Association executives and Centre administrators to evaluate and set goals for improving mediation programs and future development of the dispute resolution centers.

Liberia

  • January and May, 2017 - In partnership with Loyola Law School, Vic and FSRI Board Member Hiro Aragaki, a Law Professor at Loyola, implemented a two-phase mediation project in Liberia, Africa, funded under a World Bank grant. The first phase (in January), led by Prof. Aragaki, together with Magistrate Judge Robert Levy of the Federal District Court in the Eastern District of New York, involved a one week training of Liberian lawyers and business people on mediation techniques and skills.

  • The second phase, led by FSRI President Vic Schachter and Board Member Aragaki, was implemented in Monrovia in early May. This initiative encompassed (1) mentoring and coaching of the trained mediators in live and simulated mediations; (2) working with the Chief Judge and Associate Justices of the Commercial Court in system design and program development; and (3) several public educational and promotional programs presented to the legal, judicial and business communities, as well as to executives and members of the Liberian Bar Association. Presentations emphasized referral of pending and backlogged cases to the new mediation program, development of quality mediation skills, and enhancing client service and law firm profitability through skillful ADR practices. These efforts were undertaken with the sponsorship of the Liberian Commercial Court in the hope that an effective, sustainable, mediation program would enhance timely and fair dispute resolution in commercial matters, and thereby promote more expansive business development and investment in Liberia. Key leaders among the “graduates” from the mediation training program were identified, and mediation infrastructure systems were recommended to sustain a successful court-annexed referral program.

Kosovo (Pristina)

  • October, 2013 - FSRI was a co-sponsor of, and Vic was a keynote speaker at, a global conference on mediation to approximately 20 country representatives implementing such programs around the world.

    • Critiqued and evaluated existing mediation programs in Kosovo; consultation and recommendations regarding existing programs. 

    • Met and conferred with Law Minister of Kosovo and proposed a plan for future collaboration in strengthening and expanding existing rule of law and mediation/ADR programs.