COVID-19 Mediation Precautions

We take our responsibility for the physical and mental health and safety of everyone involved in a mediation seriously.

  • The safest way and our preferred way to conduct a mediation during the pandemic is in a virtual format; we use Zoom and we are able to create the same mediation structure by the use of virtual meeting rooms.

  • We can accommodate physical (face to face) mediations during this time, though these MUST be done under ‘Covid Secure’ conditions. The requirements and responsibilities are explained in more detail below:

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Venue Responsibility and Notes

The parties in dispute are responsible for finding a suitable venue; the contract/agreement with the venue provider is between the venue provider and the mediation party/parties - the mediator is not responsible for the venue.

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  • If any of the participants in the mediation have any symptoms associated with Covid-19 or are required under government rules to enter quarantine or self isolation for a period that will include the mediation date; the face2face mediation will either be postponed to another date or moved to become a virtual (online) mediation. We recommend that the party ensure the venue provider is aware of this. Shackleton Mediation Plus does not accept any responsibility for any venue or related costs associated with the hire or cancellation of a venue.

  • It is the responsibility of the party booking the venue to ensure that the all areas that will be used are suitably sanitised and ‘Covid secure’ prior to the commencement of the mediation.

  • The party that has booked the venue must communicate to all participants in the mediation the ‘Covid secure’ requirements of the venue provider prior to any mediation participant entering the venue.

  • The party that has hired the venue is responsible for returning the venue to the venue provider at the end of the mediation in accordance with the requirements of the venue provider.

Prior to the Mediation

The name and contact details of all participants in the mediation must be given to the Mediator. These details will be retained by the mediator for use in accordance with the Government Track, Test and Trace protocols and in accordance with the GDPR privacy policy of Shackleton Mediation Plus.

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  • All mediation participants should conduct themselves in accordance with the government Covid-19 rules, and should notify the mediator if they or anyone in their household or whom they have had close contact with either has a symptom of Covid-19, received a Covid-19 positive test, or being instructed to isolate or enter quarantine.

  • Participants should not enter the venue until they are instructed to do so and the venue has been made Covid secure.

During the Mediation

  • Only participants whose names have previously been notified to the mediator in accordance with the ‘Prior to mediation’ section above will be allowed to participate in the mediation at the venue.

  • All participants should follow the ‘Covid Safe Rules’ for the venue which include safe entrances / exits, one-way systems of movement, social distancing, hand wash hygiene and sanitisation.

  • Participants should remain in the mediation room allocated to them with the exception of comfort breaks or exiting the venue.

  • The mediation will take place under social distancing rules, all seating should 2 metres (6 feet) apart, face masks should be worn if social distancing and ventilation cannot be maintained.

  • All participants should remain vigilant and inform the mediator if they feel that any ‘Covid safe’ rule is not being adhered to.

  • The mediator reserves the right to pause, or terminate the mediation or request any participant to leave if they are not following the ‘Covid Safe Rules’.

After the Mediation

  • Any participant in the mediation that has any symptom of Covid-19 within 10 days of attending the mediation should inform the mediator.