Mediation

The opening statements are an opportunity for everyone to lay out the basic premise behind the concerns and issues of the case. It is not a back-and-forth conversation; rather it is a presentation of ideas. For that reason, the mediator does not jump in to ask questions at this point in the process.

Be upfront. Your first paragraph should tell the mediator who you represent, who the opponent is, summarize the claims and explain what is at stake. Provide a concise summary of the facts and claims. Summarize prior settlement discussions. Identify strengths and weaknesses. Bring it home.

Any agreements made during mediation are not legally binding in the sense of being enforceable in a court. Some people do decide to get a solicitor to look over the agreement, and the agreement can be used in court at a later stage in order to create a Consent Order.

Don't just repeat your Statement of Claim or Defence. Do outline the main issues in the case, and your position on each of those issues. Do consider addressing any weaknesses up-front. Do include any settlement offers that have been made to date.

A good mediation summary will include some key components, tell a story, take the right tone, provide evidence, and include a discussion of risk. Your summary should include a brief case description and the legal issues involved in it. Introduce what the dispute is concerning.

Planning. Before the mediation process begins, the mediator helps the parties decide where they should meet and who should be present. Mediator's introduction. Opening remarks. Joint discussion. Caucuses. Negotiation.

The definition of mediation is a process of negotiation in a relationship to resolve differences. When a couple is divorcing and they work with a neutral third party that helps them resolve divorce issues and divide up assets and property, this is an example of mediation.

There are essentially 5 steps to a successful mediation. They are comprised of the introduction; statement of the problem; information gathering; identification of the problems; bargaining; and finally, settlement.

An agreement you reach through mediation can become legally binding by the terms being made into a consent order. A consent order is a legal document usually drawn up by a solicitor setting out what you have agreed during mediation that will then be sent to the court and approved by a judge.