Enric Soriano Ortín: “The conscious practice of Law is the true path to building a more just world and healing bonds and relationships”

Interview with Enric Soriano Ortín, systemic collaborative lawyer, mediator, conciliator, legal coach, and therapist in systemic constellations and NLP. President of the International Association of Systemic Law. CEO and founder of ISDM (Systemic Institute of Law and Mediation).

Collaborative lawyer, mediator, therapist in systemic constellations and organizational consultant, Enric Soriano Ortín represents one of the most inspiring voices of a new paradigm in the practice of law and mediation. For years, he has promoted a systemic perspective in Law, based on deep and conscious understanding of bonds, recognition, and responsibility.

Now he announces a transformative project that —according to him— can radically change the personal and professional lives of jurists, judges, mediators, and conflict managers. We spoke with him about systemic law, mediation, constellations, and this new horizon that is already beginning to emerge.

Interview

Enric, you often speak of “systemic law,” “conscious lawyering,” and “systemic mediation.” How would you define this new paradigm in a few words?
The new paradigm brought by systemic thinking applied to Law and mediation consists of moving from resolving conflicts only on the legal plane to understanding and transforming the deeper dynamics that originate them, integrating the human, emotional, and relational dimensions alongside the legal.

I refer to the conscious practice of Law as a way of understanding and practicing the legal profession and resolving conflicts from an integral, ethical, and systemic perspective that goes beyond the simple technical application of laws, rules, and procedures.

It means that the legal professional —lawyer, mediator, judge, or any legal operator— engages with their task from presence, responsibility, and connection with the deep purpose of justice, taking into account both the people involved in conflicts and the family and social systems to which they belong.

What was your personal and professional path until integrating Law with systemic constellations and configurations?
Alongside my professional practice as a lawyer, for about 15 years I have oriented my life toward self-knowledge and personal growth, and I realized the importance of adapting this to the world of Law and conflict resolution. I began with meditation, then trained in NLP, and later in systemic thinking, systemic organizational consulting, and the enneagram. I continue, and will continue, to expand my training and experience in these fields and in other humanistic disciplines. One never stops learning. It is a continuous process of training and growth.

What role does NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) play within this integrative approach you propose?
In Systemic Law, NLP acts as a tool that strengthens communication, self-management, and belief transformation, facilitating more human, effective, and conscious processes in conflict resolution. In Law and Mediation, the way questions are formulated, listening takes place, and communication occurs can open or close pathways in a process. NLP provides techniques to develop active listening beyond words, capturing emotions, beliefs, and unconscious patterns that influence the way people experience and manage conflicts.

It also allows the use of precise and transformative language that invites reflection and cooperation, instead of fueling confrontation. It also helps identify the mental map of the client or counterpart and adapt speech to generate understanding.

To many professionals, the link between Law and systemic constellations may seem surprising. How do you respond to skepticism?
I understand that it may generate skepticism. For centuries, Law has focused mainly on rules and procedures, so talking about emotional and systemic dynamics can seem novel. It is natural that at first, without a minimal knowledge base on the subject, this integration is questioned.

This skepticism comes from a distorted image of constellations, since some associate them —very mistakenly— with rituals or esoteric practices. It must be made clear that we are talking about tools of observation and analysis, not beliefs.

When we speak of constellations in the legal field, we are not referring to something mystical. They are dynamics that allow us to clearly visualize the structure of a conflict: who is involved, what bonds exist, and where the blockages are. This helps us better understand the situation and design more complete and human legal strategies.

It is important to clarify that Systemic Law does not replace the law, but integrates it with a broader vision: the rule continues to be the foundation, while systemic work provides emotional and relational information that the law does not contemplate but which influences the outcome. The judge delivers a ruling based on the law. The systemic approach helps us understand the human context that led to that litigation, something that can improve our strategy, communication with the client, and the search for agreements.

How is the systemic perspective applied in a specific legal conflict? Can you give us a real example (preserving confidentiality)?
The first step is for the professional —whether lawyer, mediator, or judge— to adopt a broader perspective, where, in addition to facts and documents, they also consider the relationships, emotions, and history surrounding the conflict. This translates into several very concrete actions. For example: asking different questions that go beyond technical aspects, such as “Who else is affected by this situation?” or “What has not yet been said and is important to hear?” It may also involve using visual resources or brief dynamics that allow the parties to see the conflict from another perspective, which is very useful in family mediations, inheritance disputes, or business conflicts.

In some cases, legal constellations are carried out, which are exercises in which the parties, the law, and the key elements of the conflict are symbolically represented. This helps identify blockages and find solutions that respect both the legal framework and the emotional and relational structure of the system.

In an inheritance conflict, where the problem seemed economic and the siblings could not agree on what to do with their parents’ house, although one option could have been to appraise the property and initiate a judicial division of inheritance, we discovered through appropriate questioning a series of invisible loyalties that maintained the conflict. In this case, the systemic intervention consisted of a visualization that allowed each of the siblings to understand the emotions and feelings of the others, which had never been expressed. This enabled them to propose practical solutions that led to an agreement.

In the field of mediation and ADR, how can this systemic perspective enrich current processes?
The systemic perspective brings depth and understanding that complement traditional methodologies of mediation and other ADR processes. These processes already seek dialogue and agreement, but often remain on the surface of what is discussed. Systemic work allows us to reach the root of the conflict, identify the emotions, loyalties, and invisible dynamics that sustain it, and which, if not addressed, cause agreements to break down or conflicts to repeat.

For example, in a family mediation, it is not only about negotiating custody times or alimony, but about seeing what lies behind: perhaps a father who feels excluded, a mother with a wound of abandonment, or a child caught between loyalty to both parents. When these dynamics become visible and are recognized, the process transforms: the parties feel truly heard and open up to more creative, humane, and sustainable solutions.

In addition, this perspective helps mediators remain centered, avoiding becoming entangled in the emotions of the parties and broadening their vision of the entire system. Ultimately, it enriches mediation by adding a layer of awareness and depth that allows agreements not only to close a file but to restore balance and strengthen relationships.

You have recently created the Systemic Institute of Law and Mediation (ISDM). Can you tell us what this initiative is about?
The ISDM is a pioneering and unique project worldwide that responds to a dual need: first, to train jurists and conflict resolution professionals in the application of systemic thinking to their profession; and second, to provide tools for self-knowledge, personal growth, and emotional management to these professionals and to organizational leaders and team managers, so they can apply them to both their personal lives and professional practice.

Our goal is clear: to prepare conscious and transformative leaders who, with a humanistic perspective, are capable of generating fairer, deeper, and more sustainable solutions.

It is said that this project can transform the personal and professional lives of lawyers, judges, and mediators. Is it a training program, a community, a tool? What makes it so special?
The ISDM is much more than a training center. It is a space for transformation, a place where legal knowledge meets the human dimension to create a new way of understanding Law, mediation, and leadership. Our purpose is to prepare today’s professionals for tomorrow’s challenges, with awareness, empathy, and systemic vision.

What we do at the ISDM goes far beyond delivering courses. Yes, we offer programs, workshops, and technical training spaces, but our proposal goes further: it is a transformative experience that integrates knowledge, practice, and community. What makes this project special is its integral perspective. We want professionals to know themselves, develop emotional skills, and learn to view conflicts from a broader and more human perspective. When a lawyer, judge, or mediator understands the invisible dynamics behind a case, the way they intervene —and their relationship with the profession— changes completely.

Moreover, we build community. The ISDM is a meeting point where professionals from different fields share experiences, support each other, and grow together. This sense of belonging is key so that change is not only individual but also collective.

That is why we say that ISDM is training, a tool, and a community at the same time. But above all, it is a space that invites us to look beyond laws and procedures and to practice Law and mediation with greater awareness, balance, and humanity. This is what truly transforms lives and professional careers.

What impact do you expect this new project to have on the current legal culture?
The dream is that this project contributes to a shift in perspective within the legal world, moving from a model focused exclusively on rules and procedures to a more human, conscious, and transformative practice.

For a long time, legal culture has been marked by the idea of winning or losing, of defending opposing positions, often without addressing the emotions and relationships underlying each case. What we propose at ISDM is to add a new layer of depth: to understand not only what happened, but also why it happened and how it affects the people and systems involved.

If we can get lawyers, judges, mediators, and other professionals to see conflicts from this perspective, processes will cease to be only spaces for issuing rulings or closing agreements, and will become opportunities to restore bonds, generate balance, and prevent future conflicts.

Ultimately, our ideal impact would be to help build a more empathetic and sustainable legal culture, where Law remains rigorous and technical, but where the human and relational dimension is also valued. I believe this is the true challenge of 21st-century justice.

You often speak of a “paradigm shift.” What do you see as the major challenges and resistances to this change in the legal world?
When we speak of a paradigm shift, we mean a profound transformation in the way we understand law, mediation, and justice. It is not just about incorporating new techniques or methods, but about changing the perspective: moving from seeing conflicts as battles to be won or lost, to seeing them as opportunities to understand, repair, and transform.

One of the biggest challenges is precisely this internal transformation. The legal world has historically been trained within a very rational and normative framework, which has generated a very structured and often rigid culture. Adding the emotional, relational, and systemic dimension can create discomfort because it disrupts patterns that have been in place for decades, even centuries.

There are also personal resistances: many professionals have learned to protect themselves emotionally to cope with difficult situations. Opening up to view conflict from another perspective can awaken personal emotions, and this is not always easy to manage. It requires courage and commitment to personal growth.

But above all, there are institutional and structural resistances. Judicial systems and organizations operate under established procedures, and any innovation can be seen as a threat or complication. The challenge here is to demonstrate that this new perspective does not reduce effectiveness, but enhances it, because it improves outcomes and the satisfaction of the parties.

The great challenge is to get the legal world to understand that incorporating the systemic perspective does not mean abandoning rigor, but adding depth and humanity to the practice of Law. And this will only be possible if we begin with the personal change of each professional.

What role should restorative justice play in this new scenario?
Restorative justice is, without a doubt, a key element in this new paradigm. It represents a profound change from the traditional model, which focuses primarily on establishing guilt and imposing punishments. Restorative justice, by contrast, emphasizes repairing harm, restoring bonds, and rebuilding trust between people and the community.

Within the framework of the systemic perspective, restorative justice fits perfectly because it broadens understanding of the conflict. It is not just about responding to a criminal act, but about seeing its impact on the entire system: on the victim, the offender, the families, and even society. When we understand this, we can create spaces where each person takes responsibility and finds a path to reparation.

I believe its contribution is twofold: on the one hand, it humanizes criminal law by giving voice and protagonism to those affected; and on the other, it prevents recidivism, because it works on the deep causes of conflict and not just its visible consequences.

In this new scenario, restorative justice should cease to be seen as an optional complement and become a fundamental tool within the judicial system. Integrating it would mean giving justice a more complete dimension, where law and humanity walk together to generate social peace and real transformation.

What do people who have experienced a process with your systemic perspective tell you? What surprises them the most?
What they most often share is the surprise of discovering dimensions of the conflict they had never seen before. They often arrive thinking the problem is purely legal —an inheritance, a divorce, a business dispute— but as we work together, they realize that behind it lie family histories, unexpressed emotions, and invisible dynamics that have influenced their decisions and relationships.

What impacts them most is seeing how, when these dynamics come to light and are acknowledged, the way of approaching the case changes completely. Suddenly, what seemed an insurmountable wall becomes a path toward understanding and, often, toward reconciliation.

They are also surprised by the sense of relief and clarity they experience. When a person understands not only what happened but why it happened, they stop feeling trapped in guilt or anger, and this opens the door to stronger agreements and more conscious decisions.

For many, the most revealing aspect is realizing that the process not only resolves a specific conflict but also transforms their way of relating, not only in the legal field but also in their personal and professional lives. This is, without doubt, the most rewarding result of the systemic perspective.

You have also worked with organizations. How can systemic Law help prevent or resolve conflicts within a company or institution?
Systemic Law is very useful in the business and institutional sphere because it allows us to see conflicts beyond appearances, understanding not only the visible facts but also the internal dynamics that cause or sustain them.

In a company, a disagreement may seem like a management or communication problem, but often behind it are confused roles, power imbalances, invisible loyalties, or unresolved histories within the organization. The systemic perspective helps identify these patterns and find the right place for each person and each decision.

There are companies where conflict between departments repeats again and again, even when the people involved change. With a systemic analysis, one can discover that the root of the problem very likely lies in an unbalanced structure, where functions and responsibilities are unclear. When order is restored, conflicts naturally decrease.

Applied preventively, systemic Law helps establish healthier structures and more transparent decision-making processes. This reduces the likelihood of serious tensions arising. And in resolution, it offers tools to address the problem not only with legal or disciplinary measures but also by restoring trust and a sense of belonging within the team.

If you could give just one piece of advice to a young lawyer starting out, what would it be?
I would tell them never to lose sight of the humanity behind each case. It is easy, especially at the beginning, to get caught up in the frenetic pace, the procedures, the goal of winning or proving professional worth. But behind every file are people, stories, and emotions that need to be heard.

Law is a powerful tool, but it cannot be the only language we use. Knowing the law is fundamental, but understanding people is what truly makes the difference. When a lawyer learns to look beyond documents and understand the dynamics sustaining a conflict, they not only become a better professional but also someone capable of generating more just and transformative solutions.

So my advice would be: take care of your technical training, but also work on your personal and emotional growth. The way you relate to yourself and to others will be the key to accompanying your clients with presence, serenity, and awareness.

And to a conflict professional (mediator, conciliator, facilitator) who feels that something is not fitting in their cases?
I would tell them to pause and look beyond what is visible. When in a mediation or facilitation process we feel that, despite following all the steps and using known techniques, something is not flowing, it is usually because hidden dynamics are operating at a deeper level.

These blockages may have to do with invisible loyalties, family histories, power imbalances, or unexpressed emotions that do not appear in the explicit narrative of the parties but totally condition how they participate and negotiate.

My advice would be to open up to incorporating a systemic perspective into their work. This does not mean abandoning current techniques but enriching them with a broader understanding that allows the roots of the conflict to be identified. When this happens, the solutions found not only resolve the immediate problem but also prevent it from repeating in the future.

And, above all, I would remind them that this process begins with oneself: reviewing one’s own emotions, beliefs, and personal stories. When the professional is centered and connected with themselves, they can see conflicts more clearly and accompany others with more presence and effectiveness.

What professional dream do you go to sleep with nowadays?
To bring awareness to our profession and contribute, with humility but also with deep conviction, to a profound transformation in the way of understanding and practicing Law and Mediation. I dream of a future where conflicts are not seen only as battles to be won or lost, but as opportunities to understand, repair, and grow.

I imagine lawyers, judges, mediators, and organizational leaders working from a more human and conscious place, able to see not only the case in front of them but also the stories, emotions, and systems that surround it. Professionals who do not limit themselves to applying the law but who also contribute to restoring bonds and generating balance.

I dream that the ISDM becomes an international reference point, a meeting place where each person who passes through takes with them a new way of seeing, which not only transforms their professional practice but also their own life and that of the people they work with.

Ultimately, my dream is that one day, when we speak of justice, we will not only speak of rulings, but also of healing, reconciliation, love, and social peace.