Mediation can:be applied to virtually any situation where two or more parties have differences they cannot resolve themselves.
involve just two parties or several or many participants.
resolve simple, single issue disputes or complex, multifaceted disputes.
be applied to commercial, legal, community, workplace and family disputes.
resolve even a difficult dispute in a short space of time.
involve the parties meeting directly but doesn’t have to.
A Mediator is:a highly trained, skilled professional.
non-judgmental and non-directive – they will not give opinions on the parties actions or positions.
trained in a variety of conflict resolution techniques and therefore an expert in de-escalating conflicts into agreements.
a natural facilitator who helps the parties think ‘outside the box’.
a gifted and trained communicator.
a guide who encourages the parties through the Mediation process.
an inspiration to the parties when obstacles arise by guiding the discussion.
Where Does Mediation Work Well?Where a dispute may be prolonged in another process,
Where the parties need to work together in the future
Where the Parties cannot risk major legal costs
Where the parties want a solution without adversity
Internal: Between Owners, Members, Managers, Staff in Organisations
External: With Suppliers, Customers, Creditors, Debtors, Agencies
Within Communities, between Communities and other organisations
The Mediation Process:Mediation usually begins with a joint session where the Mediator explains the process and invites each party to present their views of the dispute briefly
The Mediator meets with the individuals to the dispute privately.
Private meetings are absolutely confidential.
The Mediator will seek to establish areas of common ground and provide the parties with the opportunity to explore the proposals for a viable settlement.
When agreement is reached it is formalised.
