How to make the most out of remote meetings

Always remember that your mediator is there for both parties equally so they are not taking sides but may be asking you challenging questions. The mediator wishes you both to succeed and has plenty of experience of mediation working well in the circumstances you are in. When you have private and confidential meetings with the mediator when the other side is not present, you can discuss your hopes and fears, weaknesses and strengths and in particular what you really think and feel as well as your interests and needs.

When you are in a joint session with the other person present, the mediator will often summarise what they have understood and check for certainty with you and the other party. Make sure you ask to pause if you do not understand anything or you feel you have not been fully heard to ensure. This is your chance to say what you need to say and bring up every issue that is a problem for you. This will ensure all the troubles are dealt with.

Come with your ideas of what to do to solve matters at the same time as you come with an open mind. Mediation is a process that often creates solutions and ideas that may not have been thought of before. When you have considered all the options, the ones that work usually drop into place naturally and feel like the right way to resolve things. These will be checked and challenged before you decide together with the other person what the outcome will be. Never doubt that mediation can solve things for you because the process is designed to always work if parties are willing.