How to begin a mediation?

Asked by: Carolina Durgan  |  Last update: July 8, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (73 votes)

There are typically six stages of the mediation process:
  1. A Party Shows Interest or Initiates a Straight-in Mediation. ...
  2. Parties Agree to Mediate. ...
  3. Parties Select the Mediator and Schedule the Mediation Date. ...
  4. Parties Submit Pre-Mediation Submissions. ...
  5. Parties, Counsel and Mediator Attend Mediation Session.

What do you say at the beginning of a mediation?

I am pleased to be here to assist you in working through your issues and believe you will find mediation to be a very helpful process. Thank you for committing to be here today. If any of you have a special need during the session, please let me know now or at any time during this session.

How do I initiate mediation?

Agree on mediation with all parties involved. Choose a neutral and qualified mediator everyone trusts. Schedule your first session and prepare any necessary documents.

What is a good opening statement for mediation?

I'm (Mediator's Name) and this is (Mediator's Name). We will be serving as your Mediators. You may call us by our first names; how would you like us to address you? The purpose of our meeting is to help you work out an understanding acceptable to both of you to resolve the situation that has been developing for you.

What are the 5 steps of mediation?

The five steps of mediation (and negotiation)
  • Preliminary stage. The first step in the process is the preliminary stage, during which you're deciding whether to mediate. ...
  • Preparation stage. ...
  • Information stage. ...
  • Negotiation stage. ...
  • Closing stage. ...
  • The takeaway.

How To Meditate For Beginners (Animated)

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What should you not say during mediation?

Disrespectful Comments

Making unnecessary comments under your breath, having a negative attitude, or rolling your eyes won't help you. The defense team might decide they don't want to meet you halfway to reach an agreement if you mistreat them. The mediator might not want to work with you, either.

What is the average settlement offer during mediation?

Mediation is a process that often provides parties the opportunity to reach settlement agreements, though average offers tend to range from 20-50% of damages. It's important for both involved in mediation sessions and negotiations.

What questions will I be asked in mediation?

Questions on Disagreements (2)
  • Is there a way that both of you might be right? ...
  • What criteria could you use to decide what works best?
  • Would it be possible to test your ideas in practice and see which work best? ...
  • you do that?
  • Would you be willing to jointly investigate your conflicting factual assertions?

What is the perfect opening statement?

Simplicity is key in an opening statement. Avoid overwhelming the jury with too much information. Focus on the most critical aspects of your case and present them in a clear, straightforward manner. Use simple, direct sentences and avoid technical terms.

Who should make first offer in a mediation?

First, it is traditional for the plaintiff to start. (It confuses the defense when they don't want to; and not in a good way.) Second, plaintiff brought the case. Presumably, plaintiff knows the value of his or her claims.

How do you start mediation?

The other party will need to agree to mediate before a mediator can be selected. Once both parties have agreed to mediate, a mediator can be selected and a date and fees confirmed for the mediation. The mediator will contact the parties after this has been agreed to begin working with the parties.

Do I have to say anything in mediation?

The mediator will likely have everyone introduce themselves and will explain the process. The mediator will then tell you that discussions during the mediation are privileged and cannot be divulged at a hearing or trial and nothing said at the mediation can be brought up later.

Who initiates mediation?

After the opening statement from the mediator, the mediator will ask the person initiating the mediation session -- usually the aggrieved employee -- to explain in his/her own words the nature of the complaint and what type of remedy he/she is seeking.

How do you start a mediation statement?

Start with a single paragraph identifying the parties and summarizing the claims. Provide a concise summary of the key facts without the gory details, as objectively as possible. No rhetoric, no characterization, no flamboyance or melodrama.

What words do you use during mediation?

We then asked the mediators what words do you use to prime parties for the mediation process? The responses included 'efficient,' 'fair,' 'listen,' 'partner,' 'together,' 'trust,' 'appreciate,' 'willingness,' 'result,' 'path,' 'future' and 'please.

What is a simple sentence for mediation?

The case is currently in mediation. Have we lost a sense of looking without mediation? He is refusing to go to mediation. The mediation did not lead to a settlement.

What is a strong opening sentence?

Start with the chase. A good hook might also be a question or a claim—anything that will elicit an emotional response from a reader. Think about it this way: a good opening sentence is the thing you don't think you can say, but you still want to say. Like, “This book will change your life.”

What is a catchy opening statement?

A hook is an opening statement (which is usually the first sentence) in an essay that attempts to grab the reader's attention so that they want to read on. It can be done by using a few different types of hooks, which are a question, quote, statistic, or anecdote.

How do you write a convincing opening statement?

The opening statement should be straightforward and direct. Avoid exaggerating or misstating the facts, and don't overdo the emotion. If a lawyer relies on exaggeration to appeal to the jury, he or she will certainly hear about “broken promises” in opposing counsel's closing arguments.

Do I talk during mediation?

You do not have to speak at mediation. Your lawyer – and the other party's lawyer – will be doing most of the speaking during mediation. Now, the mediatior may have questions for you, but the mediatior will likely only do so when he or she is meeting privately with you and your lawyer.

What is a good example of mediation?

Here is an examples of a scenario that can benefit from mediation: Two community activists assigned to work in the same neighborhood disagree about how to interact with residents and aren't working well together as a result of the disagreement. The entire group can sense the tension between the two.

What to say in a mediation session?

It's a good idea to prepare a short statement to present at the mediation that outlines the key issues in dispute and why they are important to you. Think about the outcomes you would like to achieve. Think about other alternatives or options you would be prepared to consider.

What is a good settlement offer?

A reasonable settlement offer is one that includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. While it varies from case to case, an experienced personal injury lawyers can help you find a reasonable amount for your case.

Who makes the first offer in mediation?

It's traditional to start with the plaintiff. Mediators do not spend time on risk assessment without good cause.

What is a normal settlement amount?

The rough 'rule of thumb' that we generally use to determine the value of the average settlement agreement payout (in respect of compensation for termination of employment) is two to three months' gross salary (in addition to your notice pay, holiday pay etc., as outlined above).