If you’re new to mediation, you may be wondering what’ll happen in the sessions and what the benefits are. We’re here to offer you advice on how to prepare for mediation and what to expect.

Senior Associate Mediator, Joanna Gosling, explains how you can best prepare for mediation. She explains how it works and gives her key advice for how to approach mediation. 

Four steps of mediation

• Mediation information and assessment meeting – gathering information about your situation and assessing whether mediation is right for you.
• First mediation session – the first opportunity to sit down with the other person, online or in person, and discuss the issues. This allows the mediator to work with you to shape your future sessions.
• Additional mediation sessions – the number of additional sessions varies from person to person. These sessions are more practical and work to solve issues.
• Outcome/agreements.

What are the benefits of mediation?

In comparison to court proceedings, there are several benefits when it comes to using mediation. These include:

• More cost effective – on average, mediation can resolve issues quicker without the need for court proceedings. This incurs fewer fees for both parties, and costs will be split equally.
• Less stressful – separating couples can arrange the mediation on their own terms. You may decide to have the sessions face-to-face, or via video link with the mediator shuttling between you.
• Confidential – Anything discussed in mediation is completely confidential (except for specific things that your mediator will be able to tell you about) and won’t be referred to in court proceedings.
• Amicable decision making – professional mediators can facilitate conversations to understand and help your case in the most amicable way. The process generally results in an agreement being reached quicker and with less conflict.

Key advice

• Think about what you want to say before you go into the meeting – understand your priorities
• Listen to the other party
• Be open minded to the decisions made.

Are you considering mediation? Call us for a free 30-minute consultation to chat about your options on 0808 291 4492.