Mediation Service
Mediation is a confidential process that offers an alternative way of managing a conflict: It fully involves both the participants to a dispute, with their consent, where each side can bring any content that they feel is relevant, with the impartial mediator role as one of supporting the dialogue, and eliciting a very full and exploratory conversation with everyone without judgement, rather than acting as a final arbiter.
In this way, it differs from any other kind of conflict intervention; the participants stay in control of the content; they stay in charge of what they would like to say, or include in the discussion. The mediator will ensure that each party’s thoughts and ideas are given as much time and consideration as each side needs, and any content does not rely on a ‘legal argument’ as the mediation process is inclusive of any and all the thoughts that participants bring to it.
The process of mediation
Mediation produces outcomes that are defined as just and reasonable by the participants’ themselves, and therefore it brings a unique satisfaction that stands up over time. Nothing is imposed on either participant and no one is pressured to commit to any agreement. There is plenty of time to consider what’s been said and a second or third meeting is always an option if needed.
Although it might feel hard to imagine sitting around the table with someone you have a conflict with, the mediator ensures that everyone’s safety is paramount and, of course, anyone can leave at any time, as it’s a voluntary process.
Before a joint mediation meeting is arranged with both the participants, the mediator will always meet with both parties separately, initially, partly to ensure that everyone is genuinely happy to agree to trying mediation but, moreover, the mediator will hear the person’s experience of the conflict, and understand the dynamics involved. It’s also a chance to explain more about what the joint meeting would contain and for the person to ask any questions, as-well as seeing if they feel confident in the mediator and the process before committing to a meeting.
No one is obliged to go to a joint meeting after a first meeting with the mediator if they decide against it. Anything that is disclosed to the mediator in an initial meeting is entirely confidential and would not be shared or revealed at any further meetings or at any time at all. What each participant shares at a joint meeting is entirely in their own control.
- Mediation is suitable for any difficult situation or dispute.
- It is not an adversarial process; it maintains everyone’s dignity.
- The participants decide what is discussed.
- The meeting goes at the participants’ pace. It doesn’t have to be time limited or rushed.
- The mediator has the skills to illicit from each party to fully say what they would like to convey to the other participant whilst remaining impartial (not evaluating the comments themselves).
- The participants always remain in control of the content. The mediator controls the process.
- It can be brought to an end at any time. No one is forced in to it or pressured to continue; it’s entirely voluntary.
- The mediator ensures that nothing ‘gets lost’ in a dialogue, and that time is dedicated to all the concerns that arise, for all participants.
- There is no imposed judgement.
- Outcomes are reached by the parties themselves, and there’s no pressure to consent to anything if someone is not in agreement.
- Because outcomes are decided by the participants, any agreements reached are much more easily implemented.
- Mediation has flexible outcomes: Some people like an agreement. For others the process of expressing how something is affecting them without fear is transformative of itself.
- It’s far less costly and time consuming than other routes.
- Mediation can be used at any time, and that includes before a court case is heard.
- If it is in the context of a legal process, it can also be used as a means to clarify what issues need to go to a hearing.
- It’s not counselling and it’s not therapy, it’s a supported and structured communication.
- Not everyone who is having difficulty in a personal relationship wants to have therapy, some prefer a structured and scaffolded conversation, with the support of an independent person.
- Charges are made only for the services used: If either party decides, after meeting with the mediator before a joint meeting, that they would not like to go ahead with a joint meeting, there is only a charge for the initial meetings.