Among family and friends
The Mediation Process
Mediation is a very effective way of resolving disputes without the need to go to court. It involves an independent third party – a mediator – supporting both parties come to an agreement.
Mediation is a flexible process that can be used to settle disputes in a variety of situations.
"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there."
Rumi
A mediator helps parties reach a solution to their problem and to arrive at an outcome that both parties are happy to accept. A mediator is omni-partial; that means equally partial to each party. Mediators do not take sides, make judgements or give advice.
We create an environment and process where the parties can work through their grievances and interests until they are ready to consider solutions. The focus of a mediation meeting is to reach a common sense settlement agreeable to both parties.
Let's Talk will:
- guide you and the other party/parties through discussions about your concerns and issues to find solutions that may be acceptable to all parties
- be omni-partial
- create an environment where all parties are heard equally
- break the problem down into manageable issues
- make sure that all relevant issues are covered
- support you and the other party think of options to resolve the dispute
- record and provide the details of any agreement you reach in your own wording.
Mediation is a voluntary process and will only take place if all parties agree. It is a confidential process where the terms of discussion are not usually disclosed to any party outside the mediation meeting. It’s much faster and cheaper than a legal process, and parties often find an agreeable solution rather than something that’s imposed by a judge, which may not suit either of the parties.
After mediation, relationships between parties are often much improved because they have resolved the issues together. If parties are unable to reach agreement, they can still consider court proceedings. The parties usually share the cost of mediation, which will depend on the value and complexity of the case.