Mission Statement

Face To Face Mediation seeks to assist disputing parties effectively communicate with one another in order to help them reach a mutually satisfying resolution to their conflict.

How We Work

Your matters will be addressed in a respectful and compassionate manner.  With an unbiased impartial systematic mediation approach, Face To Face Mediation customizes each mediation to the specific requirements of the parties involved. 

All of our associates have completed mediation skills training and are knowledgeable in its practice.  In addition, we attend and participate in workshops and seminars in order to increase our knowledge and skills. 

In some cases, the issue(s) to be resolved require the expertise of professionals in other fields, for example accountancy, psychology or real estate.  Should this knowledge be needed, we have access to a wide range of professionals that we would happy to recommend.

A brief intake is conducted during Face To Face Mediation’s initial contact with each of the parties. Before the mediation process can begin, each party must complete and return a questionnaire. In addition, the Agreement to Mediate should be read by each of the parties. These forms can be downloaded from Mediation Forms. All meetings occur in a neutral location at a time when it is mutually convenient for the parties involved.

Individual Meetings

At this meeting, the mediator will describe the mediation process and answer any questions that you may have and discuss the Confidential Client Questionnaire. However, the most important purpose of this session is provide you with an opportunity for you to tell your story.

The Mediation Session

• Mediator’s Opening Statement
  The mediator begins by briefly restating the nature of the mediation process (confidential, voluntary, etc.), the mediator’s role, what is going to happen and the mutually agreed upon guidelines.

• Parties’ Opening Statements
  In turn, each party will have the opportunity to speak while the other people present listen without interruption. After each person has finished speaking, the mediator may ask some questions to clarify what they have heard.

• The Exchange
  The parties begin to communicate with each other. The role of the mediator is to keep the discussion focused and within the agreed upon guidelines. The mediator listens to what is being said to determine the priorities of each participant and where there is possible agreement.

• Creating an Agenda
  The mediator helps the parties create and agree to an itemized agenda that takes into consideration the sequence in which the issues will be discussed.

• Working Towards an Agreement
  The parties begin to work through the items on the agenda. The mediator encourages the parties to generate options that can then be evaluated, tested and adjusted in order to meet the criteria of the participants.

• Writing a Memorandum of Understanding
  If the parties reach agreement, the mediator writes a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the decisions reached. Any issues that remain unresolved are also noted. In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding may outline how any future disputes will be handled.

During the mediation process it is possible that it may be helpful for the mediators to call a caucus.