Each party gets a chance to talk about the situation from their perspective; without interruption, sometimes in the presence of the other party and sometimes with only the mediators present. The mediator will facilitate the discussion by establishing ground rules and guiding participants through a process of discovery and communication. Some of the techniques may be familiar, such as “brainstorming”, but the mediation process itself is indeed a unique experience. The mediator is there to help the parties decide what the important issues are, explore misunderstandings, illuminate listening techniques and discover solutions.

• Organize Your Information: Gather, label, and create a timeline of key events. Flag any confidential documents you only want the mediator to see, and note any missing information so the mediator can help locate it.

• Prepare to Listen: Understand that viewpoints will differ. Approach the session ready to hear the other party’s perspective clearly and calmly.

• Stay Flexible and Open-Minded: Mediation thrives on creative, collaborative solutions that courtrooms can’t offer. Avoid immediately dismissing proposals; give new ideas room to develop.

• Take Your Time: Treat the session as a productive conversation, not a high-pressure interrogation. You can always pause the session to reflect, process, or consult with a trusted advisor.

Each mediation is different. In most cases Six Rivers maintains a 2 ½ hour maximum for each session, and the majority of cases are resolved within one or two 2 ½ hour mediations. Breaks are generally allowed; speak to your mediator at the beginning of the session about how you prefer to handle breaks.