CONFLICT RESOLUTION: MEDIATION, MENTORING & COACHING

Finding Resolution, One Hump at a Time.

Step 1 - Choose your mediator

• Do you want a mediator who has knowledge and experience in your type of dispute? It's not necessary for facilitative mediation, but it can help.

• Do both parties agree to mediate, and on the mediator? It's becoming common practice to offer 1-3 mediators to the other party with reasons why you are proposing them. Then they either agree to appoint one on your shortlist, or suggest others.

• If you are not legally represented and want me to introduce mediation to the other side, I can do that. Please get in touch.

Step 2 - Pick a date at least 14 days in advance and book

• I've a real-time booking calendar. You can be past this dispute in as little as 14 days if we're all available and you secure a date with me.
• I need at least 14 days to properly manage your important mediation. This allows time for pre-mediation calls and the reading of your paperwork before the mediation.
• you can pay a deposit to secure the date and I can start the admin process covering standard paperwork, legalities, logistics and booking in the pre-mediation calls.

Step 3 - Book a venue and deal with paperwork

• We need somewhere to mediate, unless you've chosen to mediate via Zoom or TEAMS. If we're going to need a venue, then I've some venue suggestions and the areas I can cover.

• Review and sign the paperwork I send you. You can do this electronically if preferred. A copy of my standard mediation agreement can be seen here. Once all is signed, then you need to pay my fee and book in the pre-mediation calls. This must be done at least 10 days ahead of the mediation for the date to stay in my diary.

Step 4 - Brief the mediator and info gather

• Send me a mediation bundle of paperwork to read prior to the mediation. For best results, please send 7 days prior. I’ll ask you to prepare a ‘mediation statement’ to reach me at least 4 days before the mediation.

• Book in the pre-mediation call. Let's begin exploring how you feel about this dispute and what you could do to find a way out from it.
• Think about any missing information not in your bundle that is needed for a successful mediation, and gather what you don't have.

Step 5 - Pre-mediation calls

• For between 30 minutes - 1 hour, we’ll chat confidentially about the upcoming mediation. We’ll cover logistics as well as what you’d ideally like to get from the day. Most likely this will be done on Zoom, but we can chat on the phone if preferred. I'll answer any concerns you may have.
• In these voluntary pre-mediation calls you’ll also be directed to my download-thought sheets to help you best prepare. Understanding your own values and needs can massively help you on the day of your mediation. The idea is to begin the mediation process more leisurely, less apprehensively, and with your own mediation tool-kit.

Step 6 - The mediation

• The mediation takes the format you prefer, but most tend to being in separate rooms (at least at first).
• As mediator, I will shuttle between the participants rooms and sometimes (when wanted) to bring all participants into a joint meeting.

• In all meeting bubbles, we’ll look for common ground and even new opportunities. We’ll get curious about possibilities.

Step 7 - The End

• If you've agreed terms, you'll have put your agreement in writing (if you want to) before you leave the mediation. I can't do this for you, so you need legal advisors with you, or available on the phone, or be prepared to draw up something yourself with your co-participant.

• Since some 80% of mediations resolve your dispute, hopefully yours did too. If not, all is not lost since many disputes are settle shortly afterwards.

• Respect the terms you signed up to: confidentiality and without prejudice. Mediation is strictly a confidential process.

And now you are free to look forward, maybe grieve properly, or celebrate a loved one's life, then you may wish to consider booking a holiday.

What my clients said recently

Beneficiary's Dispute with Executor

"Gayle showed great expertise, empathy and advice. She explained our options very clearly and also advised but left us in control of each decision. She went above and beyond. We would highly recommend Gayle’s services to anyone in need. Thank you!"

P Haworth, January 2025

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Will validity Dispute

“I have already recommended Gayle to friends. In a dispute that was a rollercoaster of emotions and fears, Gayle was our rock, a combination of caring and professionalism that always reassured us and eventually gave us the outcome we hoped for.”

P Wright, December 2024

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1975 Act Dispute

"Gayle gave an excellent overall level of service. We are very grateful for the help she gave us. Without her tenacity, it would have cost us a lot more."

S Warburton, July 2024

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