AWARD

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly in matters relating to Industrial and Intellectual Property (IP) and Cultural and Artistic Heritage, is still little known in Italy, the subject of skepticism, if not outright hostility, from the professional community.

It therefore requires significant dissemination and support. In Europe, however, its adoption is patchy and its practice is slow but progressive. For this reason, MFSD has established and promotes the awarding of an annual European prize to professionals, ADR bodies (public and private), universities and academics, courts and magistrates, companies and internal departments of companies, and figures from civil society and politics who have distinguished themselves or are distinguishing themselves in their country and community in promoting and disseminating a culture of prevention, consensual settlement, and out-of-court resolution of civil and commercial disputes, particularly in matters relating to Industrial and Intellectual Property, including Artistic and Cultural Heritage.

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Dates

October 15: Deadline for nominations

December 1: Publication of the list of nominees

December 15: Announcement of winners

First week of February: Award ceremony

Applications with a brief motivation are accepted and will be kept confidential at: responsabile@mfsd.it

Applications are divided into the following categories:

Arbitrator

Mediator

ADR Dispute Management

Innovation in ADR and Civil Justice

ADR Training

Work or Article

Promise

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Jury

The Award Jury will be composed of prominent figures from the world of ADR and Civil Justice who have distinguished themselves for their particular attention to promoting the topic of out-of-court resolution of civil and commercial disputes. Each year, MFSD will publish the names and qualifications of the Award Jury members on its website.

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Award
The Award consists of a crystal reproduction of Athena-Pallas, the MFSD trademark, with the wording "Cooling Off Award," the year of award, the category, and any sponsor. Awards may be presented at events organized and sponsored for the occasion or at events dedicated to the theme of Civil Justice.

Award Criteria

To receive the Award, the candidate must have distinguished himself in the relevant category over the past years and throughout his or her career. Nominations may be accepted for more than one category.

Category: ADR Dispute Management

Candidates must have demonstrated a high level of quality in designing methods or procedures and in managing ADR activities or dispute resolution.

Eligible candidates include, but are not limited to, public or private entities, law firms, intellectual property consultant firms, companies or internal departments, mediators or arbitrators, ADR or mediation bodies, arbitration chambers, and experts.

Applicants must demonstrate the purpose of their activity, its management, and the results of their actions. The Jury expects to receive a description of their activities, the approach used, and the benefits to users.

Category: Innovation in ADR and Civil Justice

Applicants in this category must have conducted or are conducting activities on new and original topics aimed at advancing and developing ADR. The Jury will evaluate their creativity and innovation in the use and implementation of ADR or new initiatives. The Award is intended to reward new, positive, and forward-looking approaches to ADR. Therefore, the benefit must be (in some way) proven and concrete, even if the activity is still ongoing.

Category: ADR

This Award is intended to celebrate the most active and committed ADR practitioner, recognizing those who demonstrate a commitment to using ADR where appropriate. Applicants, whether individuals or organizations, must demonstrate a commitment to using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and active leadership in ADR management and enforcement.

Category: ADR Training

The Award will be presented to the Trainer or Training Organization that not only demonstrates an excellent level of training but also contributes to the development of the profession in the jurisdiction or sector in which they operate. The Jury will be interested in verifying any evidence that demonstrates the achievement of this level of excellence.

Category: Mediator

The Award will be presented to the professional who, in the previous year, has distinguished himself or herself for the quality of his or her mediation or facilitation work, within the context of his or her overall professional career, and in particular for one or more decisions rendered in an ADR procedure with a facilitation component.

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