Leading Mediator appointed to Massey

Leading Mediator, Arbitrator and Barrister Appointed to Massey University

The Dispute Resolution Centre at Massey University has operated for near on 20 years. This week it appointed its first adjunct professorial head, Phillip Green. Professor Green, a prominent barrister in Wellington, is the founding President of the Arbitrator's and Mediator's Institute of New Zealand, (AMINZ) and is one of this country’s leading dispute resolution professionals. Indeed last year the Attorney General Hon Chris Finlayson acknowledged Professor Green as one of the founders of mediation in New Zealand.

Professor Green will continue his practice as a barrister, mediator and arbitrator while retaining his professorial appointment at Massey University. Following his appointment as founding President of AMINZ in 1987, Professor Green worked towards an appropriate programme of study for dispute resolution professionals in New Zealand. This commitment, along with that of other key figures in the Institute and at Massey University resulted in the creation in 1992 of the Graduate Diploma in Business Studies, endorsed Dispute Resolution.

This programme of study still continues to be delivered in 2010 and has an alumni of hundreds of graduates. Professor Green’s role in the development of Massey University's programme of study was not confined to the conceptual or strategic. He has continued to be involved in an operational level as a member of the AMINZ –Massey University Joint Advisory committee; as Director of Professional Studies for the Institute; and as a teacher on numerous practicum papers, the distinguishing feature of the dispute resolution programme of study. This voluntary commitment has helped to shape the development of dispute resolution and accreditation in New Zealand.

The appointment is a mark of Professor Green’s significant contribution to the profession of dispute resolution in New Zealand and of the esteem with which he is regarded both by his colleagues and by the wider dispute resolution community. For some 30 years he has had a strong interest in alternative dispute resolution, practice and processes. This interest is backed up by a profound dedication to education not only teaching at Massey University but he has also lectured at Victoria University in Wellington.

Phillip Green has a private practice as a barrister, which includes a focus on arbitration and mediation. He is a noted author having recently co-authored the text Mediation: Principles, Process, Practice, and co-authored the seminal arbitration work Arbitration Law and Practice. The appointment comes hot on the heals of the Law Faculty of Auckland University announcing the appointment of senior barrister and international arbitrator, David A. R Williams as its first Honorary Professor. David Williams is also a past President of AMINZ. In addition he is currently President of the AMINZ Arbitration Appeals Tribunal.

Executive Director of the Institute, Deborah Hart said, “It is a mark of the growing stature and importance of dispute resolution to the business and legal community that such appointments are being made. With over 45 New Zealand statutes now providing for a mediated process as a primary conflict resolver, it is unsurprising that tertiary institutions are putting significant resources into the teaching of alternative dispute resolution”.

ENDS

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