What do you say in a mediation opening?
Asked by: Dr. Gia Kozey | Last update: September 10, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (37 votes)
Good afternoon, my name is _______________ and I am serving as your mediator today. I am a [certified*] mediator trained to assist in resolving disputes such as the one before us today. 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.
How do you start a mediation statement?
- 1) A short description of the case and the key legal and factual issues.
- 2) Status of the litigation.
- 3) A summary of settlement discussions to date, if any.
- 4) Roadblock to Settlement: Describe what you believe to be the current roadblock to settlement.
How do you start a mediation conversation?
Starting the Conversation
Helping to start the conversation off well is an important part of that. Welcome – Thank and acknowledge them for being here to address this conflict. Let them know the steps you're going to take to open the space and how you'll support them throughout.
What to say in a mediation meeting?
Be prepared to explain your feelings, thoughts and needs. Be prepared to try to understand the other person's feelings, thoughts and needs. Be prepared to try to understand the other person's feelings, thoughts and needs both now and in relation to any previous interchange you may be discussing.
Who makes the opening statement in a mediation?
Opening Statement by Mediators
The mediation begins with a statement by the mediators.
MEDIATION GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS / What is a mediation opening statement?
Who makes the opening statement in mediation?
As mentioned above, the mediator and the parties can give opening statements at a mediation. The opening statement will look very different from the parties' statements regarding the purpose and necessary elements.
What is a good opening statement for mediation?
Good afternoon, my name is _______________ and I am serving as your mediator today. I am a [certified*] mediator trained to assist in resolving disputes such as the one before us today. 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.
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 the introduction of mediation?
"Mediation” is a process in which a mediator facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary win- win resolution to their conflict. “We all have a responsibility here to resolve this.”
What questions do mediators ask?
- What question, if answered, could make the greatest difference to the future?
- What's important to you about the question? ...
- What draws you to this issue, conflict or question?
- What's our intention here? ...
- What opportunities do you see in it?
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.
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.
How do you talk during mediation?
Avoid using words like “always” and “never.” Give concrete examples to illustrate your point of view. Talk about a problem in terms of what you want to see happen in the future or how a situation or working relationship can be improved, rather than arguing about the past.
How do you start a mediation meeting?
Open the session on a positive note, by thanking them for being open to resolving the conflict. Remind them of the ground rules, summarize the situation, and then set out the main areas of agreement and disagreement. Explore every issue in turn, and encourage the participants to express how they feel to one another.
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 the opening statement of an arbitrator?
An effective opening statement has three objectives: to provide the arbitrator with a framework or roadmap of the critical facts, contract provisions, and law of the case; to establish your credibility and build rapport with the arbitrator; and to persuade the arbitrator that your client is right and should win the ...
What is the opening statement of a mediator?
The most important elements of your opening are to clarify what participants may and may not expect when mediating with you, to assure the parties that you are there to listen and to assist them in resolving their dispute, and to bring your authentic self to the table.
What is the opening stage of mediation?
Opening statements — The parties describe the dispute and how it affects them. Mediators usually want to hear initial ideas on potential resolutions. The mediator does not permit interruptions by the other party while one party is speaking.
What is the introduction of conflict resolution?
Conflict resolution is the process that two or more parties use to find a cordial solution to a problem. Conflicts can occur between friends and family members, but also between coworkers, clients, and customers. In the workplace, having poor conflict resolution skills can reflect very negatively on your organization.
What makes a good mediation statement?
A mediation statement should distill the issues in the case. Less is always more. 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.
How to prepare for mediation with a narcissist?
- Limit Interaction Outside of Mediation. ...
- Establish Boundaries. ...
- Avoid Playing Their Game. ...
- Try to Stay Calm & Stay Professional. ...
- Focus on Your Goals Rather Than Narcissistic Actions. ...
- Document Everything. ...
- Stay Persistent.
Do clients speak 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 the best opening statement?
- Structure Your Statement. ...
- Be Clear and Concise. ...
- Tell a Story. ...
- Establish Credibility. ...
- Practice. ...
- Avoid Overpromising. ...
- Anticipate Counterarguments. ...
- Adapt to the Case Dynamics. Every case is unique, and so should be your opening statement.
What is mediation introduction?
Mediation involves the intervention of a third person, or mediator, into a dispute to assist the parties in negotiating jointly acceptable resolution of issues in conflict. The mediator meets with the parties at a neutral location where the parties can discuss the dispute and explore a variety of solutions.
What do you say in an opening statement?
The opening statement at the beginning of the trial is limited to outlining facts. This is each party's opportunity to set the basic scene for the jurors, introduce them to the core dispute(s) in the case, and provide a general road map of how the trial is expected to unfold.