Mediator / Negotiator
Corporate Mediation & Employment Relations
VISION AND APPROACH TO MEDIATION
In addition to swiftly building trust, my expertise as a mediator and negotiator lies in uncovering and fostering novel, creative solutions, and removing blocking issues to reaching agreement. The viability of the end result is essential and, if desired by the participants, I actively contribute insights towards solutions.
My approach is proactive, pragmatic and solution-oriented. Following the motto "mediate the process first," I usually commence with individual intake conversations. Here, each party can express their expectations of the mediation and we can decide on a common objective for the mediation.
Throughout the mediation, I maintain clear leadership, employing a results-driven and versatile mediation style tailored to the parties' preferences and the stage of the mediation process. One-on-one conversations, where we can explore various options confidentially, constitute an important aspect of my approach.
I do not see mediation as a choice between facilitative and evaluative styles. Depending on the needs of the parties, I actively use the full range of mediation interventions while preserving party self-determination.
My usual starting point is to facilitate discussions to explore interests, concerns, needs and motivations. Later in the mediation, or as desired by the parties, a more evaluative approach can be chosen to explore alternatives, reality testing and risk analysis. You can read further details in my Universal Disclosure Protocol for Mediation (UDPM).
My goal is not merely to help parties reach agreement, but to support them in making durable decisions that can actually work in practice.
I work in Dutch, English and German.
Since 2014, I have been recognised as a leading individual in mediation by Who’s Who Legal. I am a member of the Global Mediation Panel for five UN organisations and serve as mediator in cases before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal.
Testimonials from peers, parties and party advisors are referenced below.
“... Manon Schonewille is a ‘standout’ in the Netherlands, say sources, who note she has ‘an easy style and is very on top of things’.”
Manon is endorser of the Universal Disclosure Protocol Mediation (UDPM) and signatory of the Mediators Green Pledge. What does this mean?
Mediation Examples
Examples of cases in which I have acted as mediator include governance and shareholder disputes, family business and succession issues, partnership and professional firm conflicts, employment and exit disputes, joint ventures, franchise relationships and international collaborations and contractual disputes.
Mediator in a multi-stakeholder dispute between a franchisor (management) and the franchisees' organization, concerning collaboration agreements and internal reconciliation.
Mediator in succession and cooperation issues within a family business.
Mediator in a conflict between five partners in a medical partnership.
Mediator in a dispute over the termination of a joint venture, involving multiple reciprocal claims between a semi-public organization and an SME company.
Mediator in employment disputes and workplace cooperation matters, including dismissal cases, exit mediations, or contract terminations.
Mediator in a contractual dispute between the partners of a medical
partnership and the board of a hospital.
Mediator in (international) collaboration matters, such as between:
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Teams from the Swedish headquarters and teams from the German subsidiary.
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American and Australian colleagues in a multidisciplinary project team.
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The European headquarters and an employee from a subsidiary in the Middle East of a biotechnology company.
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Greek consultants, trainers, and legal advisors.
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Marketing personnel from French and Belgian subsidiaries and the German headquarters of a FMCG organization.