What can I expect when I attend mediation?

By agreeing to participate in mediation, you can take an important step toward resolving a dispute. The goal of the mediation is to reach an agreement that all participants find reasonable and in their best interests.

What happens in a mediation session?

Each party gets a chance to talk about its situation without interruption, sometimes in the presence of the other party and sometimes with only the mediator(s) present. The mediator will facilitate the discussion. The mediator will also establish groundrules and guide participants through a process of discovery and communication. Some of the techniques may be familiar, such as "brainstorming", but the mediation process itself is indeed a unique experience. The mediator is there to help the parties decide what the important issues are, explore misunderstandings, illuminate listening techniques and discover solutions.

What happens when we find a solution?

If an agreement is reached, a written agreement will be drafted and each party will sign the agreement.How much time will it take?

Each mediation is different. In most cases Six Rivers CMS maintains a 2 ½ hour maximum for any one session. A majority of cases are resolved within 2 ½ hours. Breaks are generally allowed, speak to your mediator at the beginning of the session in regards to how they would prefer to handle break time if necessary. Sometimes it is necessary to schedule a follow up session. If a second session is determined appropriate in your case, times and locations will be decided upon prior to leaving the initial mediation session.