What is Mediation?

Mediation can take place in a variety of locations. Usually mediation is conducted in private roooms with the mediator working with each party to identify and understand the issues before exploring settlement options.

Mediation is different to negotiation as each party can be open and honest about their strengths and weaknesses. The mediator, thanks to their independence and impartiality, will be able to identify where possible solutions may lie and begin to resolve the issues.

Mediation is confidential and in the event that the dispute cannot be resolved it is likely that the disputed issues will have been clarified and narrowed down.

Neither party is forced into agreeing anything they don’t want to, and the agreement is completely at the control of the parties. However once an agreement is reached the terms of the agreement is recorded in a signed ‘settlement agreement’. This agreement is then enforceable in court should either party renege on their commitments.