Online (Virtual) Mediation
Online (Virtual) mediation is a specialism of Shackleton Mediation Plus. It is just a different mechanism to provide mediation so it covers the same range of dispute types as mentioned n the Face-To-Face Mediation page.
Reasons to consider resolving your dispute through online (Virtual) mediation:
It saves the cost and time of finding a venue and the need for ‘Covid Secure’ measures.
It ensures that a mediation can take place without needing to change plans following any changes to government rules (if Covid levels rise).
An online mediation can take place even if one of the participants needs to isolate, shield or is in quarantine.
It means that mediations can take place between parties in different town, cities or countries.
It saves travel time to / from any venues.
It is less resource intensive so can help your organisation meet its climate change and sustainability goals.
1) Why use Shackleton Mediation Plus for an online mediation?
I have been using video conference software for over 15 years, I am familiar with some of the more advanced functions in zoom. Many people may have only a few months experience which could mean they need to focus more on the technology and less on you and your dispute.
2) Will the online mediation be recored and used afterwards?
No, although it is possible to record a zoom session, it is very bad practise to do so. We do not record zoom meetings, and you can see this because a red light will show if the seeion is being recorded.
3) Is my data secure?
Data protection is very important to us, we are registered with the Information Commissioner and comply with the GDPR requirements. We have a written privacy policy, we do not record zoom calls and we keep your data in secure encrypted files for the time needed.
4) Why should I consider using online mediation?
An online mediation can take place even if you are in isolation or quarantine due to Covid-19 and because there is no face-to-face contact you are protecting yourself and others from transmission. You choose where you want to be for the mediation, you are save time that you would have used to travel and the associated green house gas emissions.
5) What equipment will I need?
You will need a computer, tablet or smartphone with a camera and microphone (internal ones are fine) and the 'zoom' app installed, and a good network connection.
6) I don't feel confident using IT/Web softare - Can i still use online mediation?
That is perfectly understandable, for many of us we have only been using webcalling software for about 6 months. 1 or 2 days before the mediation I will arrange a practice session for you and anyone else that will be with you during the mediation so that we can check the technology is working properly and you can get some experience.
7) Should I be concerned about sitting in front of a screen for half/full day?
One of the best things about mediation is that we have more flexibilty, so we can take breaks during the mediation or we could even spread a mediation into 2 or 3 shorter sessions.
8) Why do you use zoom?
We use zoom because: It can create the closest online experience to a face to face mediation. Each party will have their own 'Virtual' room which only they and the mediator can enter. You can even have a separate room if legal advisors from both parties wish to talk in private. There is the larger meeting room for all parties to meet in. We use zoom rather thhan MS Teams so that the mediator can control where eac party is, and so that a 'administrator' from the organisation does not need to participate. This helps to provide greater confidentiality.
9) I miss the person experience, can online mediations be the same?
No, it is not the same, you csnnot shake hands at the end, you cannot see the full body language of each person, and we rely on an agreement from all parties that they are 100% focused on the mediation. Having said all that, it is a very close experience and has many other advantages.
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.
