Face-To-Face Mediation
Reasons to choose me as your mediator
Work with a professional - I am a qualified, accredited Civil, Commercial and Workplace mediator.
I understand people and relationships and which makes me superb at building relationships with all parties in the mediation and their advisors. I take the time to actively listen to everyone and build empathy.
I understand complex processes, I know the questions to ask to get to the heart of a situation and can rely this in simple terms.
As a CMC Accredited mediator, I am insured and have a complaints process (though I hope you won’t need it).
I’m not a Solicitor/Barrister - I’m a mediator so I am NOT here to give you legal advice. You probably either have a legal advisor in the room or have already taken legal advice so you don’t need the mediator to add any legal confusion.
Mediators are sometimes said to be only as good as their last mediation; and we don’t have full control to get a settlement every time. The process is voluntary so if a party chooses not to settle then they cannot be forced - but currently I have a good ratio of settlements to mediations.
I will provide you with the materials to prepare yourself for the mediation, so that you have the best chance of reaching a successful outcome.
What usually happens at a mediation?
This is an example of the usual structure of a mediation, if the mediation is shorter, some of these stages will be done together.
I will arrange for the arrival of each party to be staggered and will meet each party as they arrive.
Part 1 - We begin with the opening phase:
Once all parties are comfortable the mediation can begin and I arrange for all parties to meet in the same room for the ‘Plenary”. This is the chance for you and the other parties to say how they feel and to make an opening statement. It’s a good time to see the opening stance of each party. If you are not ready or comfortable to meet the other party at this stage, that is fine - it is voluntary so I won’t try to force you to do so.
Part 2 - We go into the Exploratory Phase:
Each party then goes back to their room and I will meet each party to hear their views after the plenary session -
Remember Confidentiality is essential for the mediation to work so as mediator, I will not discuss anything with the other party unless it is agreed first that I can do so.
I return to each party separately and we will explore the Topics that need to be discussed, Put simply this is a list of the areas that one party feels need to be considered or addressed either before an agreement can be reached or to be considered as part of an agreement.
We will also explore the different options for how a settlement could be developed, This will in practice be a number of meetings with each party to move things forward. Depending upon which is the best way to move forward these could be a few long meetings or a larger number of short meetings.
Remember Confidentiality is essential for the mediation to work so as mediator, I will not discuss anything with the other party unless it is agreed first that I can do so.
Part 3 - We move into the Resolution Phase:
With options developed by each party I meet each party in turn and see how the options can be crafted to form something that could form a settlement.
Options are presented between parties and decisions made, or counter offers made. Ultimately we aim for these to lead to an agreement.
Ideally if an agreement is reached, all parties will meet together again and the heads of agreement can be written. This isn’t essential if the parties want to do this separately I can move between rooms.
Once the mediation is finished depending upon how the parties feel, they can either leave together or the time of their leave can be staggered.
What facilities are needed for a face-to-face mediation?
For a face-to-face mediation to reach a successful outcome, it is important to have a venue where confidentiality can be respected and participants have all the facilities they need to enable them to focus on the factors that can bring a successful outcome.
These are the facilities needed:
Essential
Separate rooms for each party, and for the mediator (a minimum of 3 rooms). It is important that conversations taking place in each room cannot be overheard by other parties or the mediator. Confidentiality is essential in a mediation.
Refreshments and toilet facilities. It is important to be hydrated to maximise concentration.
Mobile phone reception or access to a telephone in the meeting room so that the parties are able to seek advice if/when needed (if they do not have their advisers with them) .
Desirable
Flip charts and pens, as the mediator I will be giving you and the other party tasks to help you develop ideas to move to a solution.
You do not need to provide lunch though it is important that there is somewhere nearby where the parties can get a quick lunch.. I usually find that a short walk for a takeaway lunch is a good way to get a break during the mediation.
Internet access can also be good to help parties research when required.
FREE UKRAINE FACILITATED MEETING or MEDIATION SERVICE:
In solidarity with the people of Ukraine and the wonderful UK hosts, I am proud to offer my services FREE of charge to help resolve disputes between hosts and guests in the ‘HOMES FOR UKRAINE SCHEME’. Please click on the Ukraine flag for more information.
