Ms Aideen O'Reilly:

As I said, there are two main accreditation bodies which accredit mediators. It often depends on the nature of the dispute. Certain highly technical disputes draw most of their mediators from the disciplines of engineering, science, biochemistry and pharmacy. Quite a number of mediators have a legal background as solicitors or barristers; therefore, the skills set very much depends on the nature of the dispute. It is fair to say many of the mediators I have come across in my current practice have been lawyers.