Mediation

Is a process whereby the mediator leads parties through a step-by-step process to identify the issues in dispute, generate options, and ultimately reach agreement about the resolution of those issues. The mediator does not give a professional opinion or provide advice. If the mediator considers professional advice is required, the parties are referred to appropriate professionals to gain the relevant information to bring back to the next mediation appointment for consideration in their negotiations.

Conciliation

Is similar to mediation in that the conciliator leads parties through a process to reach agreement about the issues in dispute. The process, although less structured than mediation, is also designed to assist parties to identify the issues in dispute, consider options and ultimately agree about resolution of those issues. In conciliation, however, the conciliator can provide a professional opinion/advice.

At Mediate Right Now, when providing advice to parents the conciliator considers factors such as the child/ren's ages and stages of development, their attachment relationship with each parent, exposure, if any, to conflict and/or family violence, the parents' respective involvement with, and parenting of, the child/ren to date, the child/ren's views, and their responses to loss and grief following the breakdown of the family unit. With such advice, parents are better equipped to reach agreements that are appropriate for their children, given their ages and stages of development, in the context of their lives to date.

Both mediation and conciliation are:

• Voluntary (although sometimes a Court may require attendance at mediation/conciliation)
• Confidential and inadmissible in Court (with some exceptions)
• Much less expensive than going to Court
• Faster than going to Court
• Focused on future plans for children and their parents.