The pre-mediation phase has two components. The first component involves 1:1 briefings between the mediator and each party. The purpose of the briefings is to obtain a detailed understanding of the issues at hand, each party's needs and interests, and their perspective on the nature of the problem and appropriate solutions. The second component involves the mediator's own preparation as informed by the 1:1 briefings, and will include research, reading, case formulation and agenda development.
A half-day pre-mediation booking is suitable for less complex matters where each 1:1 briefing is likely to take approximately one hour (or part thereof), and the mediator's preparation session will take no more than two hours (or part thereof).
A full-day pre-mediation booking is suitable for more complex matters where we allocate two hours (or part thereof) for each 1:1 session and three hours (or part thereof) for the mediator's own preparation session.
These are the formal joint sessions between the mediator and both parties. This is when the mediator tables the agenda and the parties step through the issues one at a time and work towards resolution.
A half-day mediation session refers to three hours, or part thereof.
A full-day mediation session refers to seven hours (or part thereof).
The mediator will draft the agreement and send to each party for final sign off. The mediator will contact each party to check that the document is an accurate reflection of what was agreed. This is also an opportunity to address any final questions or concerns and for the process to be formally concluded.