SCMA

What SCMA does

SCMA (Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates) is a UK-registered private professional membership organization (Company No. 5749717) headquartered at 1 Chancery Lane, London, with additional offices in Brussels (SCMA/AIA, 146 Avenue Louise) and Lagos (SCMA Nigeria). It serves lawyers, barristers, solicitors, chartered surveyors, construction and property professionals, HR and trade union representatives, local government officers, and other professionals who represent clients in mediation, negotiation, dispute avoidance, and collaborative bargaining. The organization positions itself as the only UK body focused specifically on mediation advocacy standards and competencies rather than on the interests of mediators themselves.

The core product set comprises the SCMA Standards and Competencies in Mediation Advocacy (a registered standards framework co-developed with the International Mediation Institute), the IMI Mediation Advocacy Qualifying Assessment Program (MAQAP) for certification, CMC-accredited civil/commercial mediator training (a 5-day program priced at £1,500 per person), and shorter Core and Bespoke Mediation Advocacy training courses. Ancillary offerings include the Annual Conference, Michaelmas Seminar, Mediation Slams, negotiation skills workshops, and a 'Building a Mediation Business' course. Delivery is assessor-led rather than technology-mediated: certification requires 32+ hours of advanced training plus written case study submission, live role-play assessment by two SCMA assessors, and self-evaluation against a minimum threshold of cases or mediation hours.

SCMA generates revenue through three principal streams: annual membership subscriptions (£100 individual / £250 corporate), training course fees (typically £220-£1,500 per participant), and event/conference fees (e.g., £85 for members / £120 for non-members at the Annual Conference). Go-to-market is event-driven and partnership-led: distribution relies on the scmastandards.com website, joint events with ADR Group, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Garden Court Chambers, international development agreements with IPDRAA (Hong Kong/PRC) and GAADR (India), and training delivery partnerships with the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse and Nigerian Bar Association. The organization is led by Director/Convenor Andrew Goodman (barrister, CEDR mediator since 1993, Professor of Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution Studies at Rushmore University), supported by a 17-member Advisory Board and high-profile patrons including Lords Neuberger, Falconer, Goldsmith, and Faulks.

Name

SCMA

Legal name

Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates

Website

https://scmastandards.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SCMA (Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates) is a UK-based private professional membership organization that sets standards, delivers training, and accredits mediation advocates in England and Wales, serving lawyers, barristers, surveyors, and other professionals representing clients in mediation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Accreditation

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Legal, Governance, Privacy & Audit Certifications (EDAAANAN)

Keywords

• Mediation advocacy training
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Professional accreditation services
• Civil commercial mediation
• Mediation standards framework

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership subscriptions providing access to training discounts, professional credentials, and SCMA logo usage rights for marketing purposes.
2. Training Course Fees: Revenue from accredited mediation and mediation advocacy training programs including Core Mediation Advocacy (1-day or evening modules), Bespoke Mediation Advocacy for Senior Practitioners, and Full CMC Accredited Civil/Commercial Mediator Training (5-day program).
3. Event and Conference Revenue: Fees from annual conferences, seminars, workshops, and networking events including the Annual Conference, Michaelmas Seminar, and specialized training events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SCMA is a professional membership organization that sets standards, delivers accredited training, and provides certification for mediation advocates in England and Wales. It sells annual memberships (£100 individual, £250 corporate), CMC-accredited mediator training programs, IMI Mediation Advocacy Certification assessments, and runs conferences, seminars, and workshops for lawyers, barristers, surveyors, and other professionals who represent clients in mediation proceedings.

Product overview

SCMA (Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates) is a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of mediation advocacy training programs, accreditation services, and industry standards. The core offerings include the SCMA Standards and Competencies in Mediation Advocacy document, IMI-accredited Qualifying Assessment Program (MAQAP) for certification, CMC-accredited civil/commercial mediator training, and specialized workshops in negotiation and mediation advocacy skills. SCMA organizes annual conferences, seminars, and networking events, with branches operating in Nigeria and Belgium. The organization serves lawyers, accountants, surveyors, construction professionals, and other representatives who assist clients in mediation processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCMA Standards and Competencies in Mediation Advocacy
• Core Mediation Advocacy Training
• Bespoke Mediation Advocacy for Senior Practitioners
• SCMA Registered Civil/Commercial Mediator Training
• IMI Mediation Advocacy Certification (MAQAP)
• SCMA Annual Conference
• SCMA Annual Michaelmas Seminar
• Core Negotiation Skills Workshop
• Core Mediation Advocacy Skills Workshop
• Building a Mediation Business Workshop
• SCMA Nigeria Branch Training
• SCMA Individual Membership
• SCMA Corporate Membership

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ADR GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership for joint events and training programs. ADR Group handles event registration and provides venue support for SCMA workshops and seminars. Collaboration extends to mediation awareness activities and professional development programs.
• International Mediation Institute (IMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA assisted IMI in designing criteria for competent Mediation Advocates. SCMA serves as a Qualifying Assessment Program (QAP) provider for IMI Mediation Advocacy Certification. SCMA Director Andrew Goodman is a member of the Independent Standards Commission of IMI and Vice-Chair of its Sub-Committee on Mediation Advocacy Certification.
• Civil Mediation Council (CMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA provides CMC Registered Civil/Commercial Mediator Training accredited by the Civil Mediation Council. SCMA is registered with CMC as an approved training provider.
• Lagos Multi-Door CourthousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA Nigeria works closely with the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse in promoting training and education in mediation advocacy. Joint Introduction to Mediation Advocacy Course has trained over 150 participants.
• Nigerian Bar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA Nigeria develops mediation advocacy throughout Nigeria in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association, including collaboration with Ikeja and Ikorodu branches.
• International Professional Dispute Resolution Advocates Association (IPDRAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment agreement providing core training and accreditation in mediation advocacy for Hong Kong and PRC markets. SCMA certification leads to IPDRAA accreditation.
• Global Academy for Advocates in Dispute Resolution (GAADR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment agreement with GAADR (India) providing core training and accreditation in mediation advocacy. GAADR supported Arb-Med International Student Competition 2018.
• Herbert Smith FreehillsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual guest lecture series hosted at Herbert Smith Freehills offices near Liverpool Street station. No-fee CPD events featuring star guest lecturers.
• Garden Court ChambersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint seminar on Mediation Advocacy during Mediation Awareness Week held at Garden Court Chambers premises.
• International Dispute Resolution and Risk Management InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA supports the work of this international institute in developing mediation practice.
• Hong Kong Mediation CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA supports Hong Kong Mediation Centre and the Joint Mainland-Hong Kong Mediation Centre.
• The Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution Team (PACT) IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMA certified training courses run by PACT India. Supported Arb-Med International Student Competition 2018.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• International Mediation Institute (IMI): Global standards-setting body for mediation, with which SCMA collaborates as a QAP provider. Comparable as the international parent framework that defines mediation advocacy competency criteria.
• Civil Mediation Council (CMC): UK regulator that accredits mediators and approves training providers including SCMA. Comparable as a standards/credentialing body in the UK civil/commercial mediation market.
• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb): Global chartered body for dispute resolution professionals offering accreditation across arbitration, mediation, and adjudication. Comparable to SCMA as a membership-based standards and credentialing organization in the broader ADR space.

Direct peers

• CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution): The leading UK ADR training and accreditation body offering mediator accreditation and commercial mediation training. Directly comparable to SCMA in serving the UK legal professional market with mediation-related credentials and courses, though CEDR is broader in scope.
• Resolution: UK membership organization for family lawyers and other dispute resolution professionals, including mediation. Comparable as a UK-based professional membership body focused on family/ADR practice standards and training.
• ADR Group: UK mediation services and training organization that already partners with SCMA on events. Directly comparable as a UK-based provider of mediation accreditation, training courses, and CMC-aligned offerings for legal professionals.

Emerging players

• National Mediation Training (UK): UK mediation training provider. Comparable as a smaller, focused training provider in the UK mediation training market that competes for course attendees alongside SCMA.

Regional players

• Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI): Singapore-based mediation accreditation body. Comparable as a national standards and certification organization for mediators and mediation advocates in the Asia-Pacific region.
• ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC): Canadian national ADR membership, accreditation, and training organization. Comparable as a national membership body setting standards for mediators and providing mediation training credentials.
• Hong Kong Mediation Centre: Hong Kong mediation accreditation and training body partnered with SCMA. Comparable as a regional standards and training provider in the Asia-Pacific mediation advocacy market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scmastandards
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxuMs9JFeUOWUB1MuEUkpow
• Facebookfacebook.com/scmastandards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SCMA