Not quite failing: At a mediation event in the City last week, there was yet another example of how naturally reasonable and emollient the world of alternative dispute resolution can be. A senior lawyer kicked off the event saying that he had recently been run through the training mill at the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), but had fallen just short of the mark. He then introduced a panel of mediation experts, including head of CEDR Karl Mackie, which must have been like owning up to not having done one's homework in front of the head of house. City lawyers might well find putting the boxing gloves down just that little bit harder than most, but at least our man's fall was well cushioned. CEDR, the lawyer said, at least does not say one has 'failed'. Instead, like a world made of flowers and fluffy cushions, he was 'aspiring to competence'. As are we all, sir.