About this course

Are you familiar with ‘high-conflict’ behaviours? What are they, and how can you effectively work with high-conflict people? Learn about high-conflict behaviours through this introductory course co-developed by the world-leading experts, Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter, co-founders of the High Conflict Institute in the U.S, and Tania Sourdin, Head of School and Dean at Newcastle Law School in Australia.

In this course, we will explore high-conflict behaviours and provide you with some strategies and skills for handling them in legal disputes and business settings. Guided by real-world examples, you will gain an understanding of the causes and impacts of high-conflict behaviour, and learn effective responses in high-conflict situations. The course will assist you in further developing your skills in conflict resolution and problem-solving.

This course is aimed at anyone who may encounter high-conflict behaviours in a wide range of situations, particularly in a business or legal setting, including:

  • Lawyers or students studying law
  • Business owners
  • Managers
  • HR professionals
  • Administrators
  • Health and medical practitioners.

What you'll learn

  • Categorise common high-conflict behaviours.
  • Describe common high-conflict behaviours.
  • Outline causes and impacts of high-conflict behaviours.
  • Explain how an individual could effectively respond to a high-conflict situation.
  • Develop responses to deal with high-conflict situations.

Course Syllabus

Week 1: Introducing High-Conflict Behaviours

  • Defining high conflict
  • Recognising high-conflict behaviours

Week 2: Causes and Impacts of High-Conflict Behaviours

  • When do unmanaged emotions become high-conflict?
  • How does high-conflict behaviour affect the workplace, the individual and others?

Week 3: Cycle of High-Conflict

  • Predictive behaviour patterns of high-conflict people
  • De-escalating and responding to high conflict

New pathways

Completing the two High Conflict in Law short courses, An Introduction and Personality, Disorders and Disputes, offers potential credit for the Master of Dispute Resolution program at the University of Newcastle. In this regard, additional written assessment work may be required. You must have paid for the verified option and successfully completed both courses to be considered for credit.


Meet the instructors

Professor Tania Sourdin

Professor Tania Sourdin

Head of School & Dean, Newcastle Law School. University of Newcastle, Australia.

Bill Eddy

Bill Eddy

Co-Founder & Training Director at High Conflict Institute

Megan Hunter

Megan Hunter

Co-Founder & CEO at High Conflict Institute


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