A mediation profession in Australia : an improved framework for mediation ethics

This article considers the notion of a mediation 'profession' in Australia, and assesses the possibility of a greater acceptance of mediation as a nascent profession in its own right. The article is particularly concerned with the connection between conceptualizing mediation as a profession, and establishing a more sophisticated framework for ethical practice in mediation. The consideration of these issues works from the basis that the legitimacy of mediation rests on a strong ethical paradigm. The article argues that the strength of ethics in mediation will be enhanced if mediation practice is recognised as an independent professional field of endeavour, a new profession, as opposed to merely an industry or adjunct area of practice