< Go Back What is Mediation and How Can it Help You? Posted: Feb 28, 2023 You may have heard of the term before, but what is mediation and what is it used for? Mediation is essentially a meeting or phone-based process which helps two parties to come to a mutual resolution to an issue with an impartial person in attendance. This impartial person is a witness to both sides of the conversation and ensures fairness and calmness throughout negotiations.
This is a process often used prior to seeking more formal legal support or taking court action as it avoids the stress of a court process and saves some of the cost.
What is a Mediator? The role of a mediator, especially in family law mediation, is to leave the decision and negotiation completely up to the two parties. They are not there to take a side or to assign blame to either party. But simply there to record the conversation and to try to referee the negotiations to ensure that both sides get the opportunity to put their point across and come to a conclusion.
Their role is to eliminate any obstacles with communication. These might include actual contact issues if either party has been previously instructed not to contact the other. Or simply to alleviate some of the anxieties felt by one or both parties in talking to each other without the support of an impartial person present.
What Are the Benefits of Mediation Many people choose to use mediation when dealing with family law or employment law because it presents a lot of benefits.
The mediation process provides some support for both parties within the process. It allows people to feel more at ease when negotiating an awkward situation and gives them peace of mind if they’re having to negotiate with someone that they typically don’t get along with.
The mediator also allows them to tell their side of the story and get some air time without the other party interrupting. They also provide the comfort that the mediator is not taking sides or passing opinions on the issue.
The process is also non-binding. Meaning two parties can come to a resolution that they are both happy with, but this is not a legally binding contract. If both parties walk away happy, then this removes the need for a long, arduous court case but may still achieve a positive resolution. It also has the flexibility to change over time depending on the situation.
Uses for Mediation Here at Fosse Law, we specialise in family law and employment law . Our expert team is available to provide advice and support when you need it most. We offer friendly mediation services to help you negotiate and we remain completely impartial throughout.
Your confidentiality is guaranteed and we aim to help you discover the best solution for both parties without the added stress or restrictions of legal action. If you need some advice or assistance in dealing with a family or employment matter, contact us today to find out your next steps.