Hybrid Family Mediation
Hybrid Family Mediation provides an alternative option for individuals involved in complex or high conflict disputes. Hybrid Mediators have undertaken specialist training to enable them to utilise both family and civil Mediation techniques and procedures. This enables them to be more flexible and innovative in seeking to find a solution for the parties.
Unlike traditional Family Mediation, within Hybrid Mediation, the parties can have a series of confidential meetings with the Mediator, enabling them to explore their negotiation parameters without that information being shared with the other party. This is interspersed with a number of open meetings between the parties and the Mediator to attempt to narrow the issues and achieve an agreed proposal. This helps the Mediator get an idea of what each party is hoping to achieve and which areas they may be willing to compromise on. Lawyers are often involved in the process, whether this is limited to preparing the documents (similar to court documents) for the session and/or attending with their clients in order to be on hand to give advice and if required, draft open settlement terms at the end of the session. Any financial information cannot be kept confidential from the other party and must be shared on an open basis.
The process can be particularly helpful where there are significant power imbalances or high levels of conflict. The Mediation can be conducted entirely on a “shuttle” basis, with both parties staying in separate rooms (with their lawyer if attending) and the Mediator only sharing with the other party information that is agreed can be shared on an open basis. The Mediation can be conducted entirely remotely.
Hybrid Mediation can take place over the course of one day, rather than separate individual sessions. If both parties’ lawyers are present, an open binding agreement can be drafted at the end of the session if both parties agree. With traditional Mediation, any agreement reached is non-binding until the parties make it binding through open correspondence via solicitors or through a court order.
Other professionals can also be involved in the process if required, such as an accountant or financial advisor.
Hybrid Family Mediation
Hybrid Family Mediation provides an alternative option for individuals involved in complex or high conflict disputes. Hybrid Mediators have undertaken specialist training to enable them to utilise both family and civil Mediation techniques and procedures. This enables them to be more flexible and innovative in seeking to find a solution for the parties.
Unlike traditional Family Mediation, within Hybrid Mediation, the parties can have a series of confidential meetings with the Mediator, enabling them to explore their negotiation parameters without that information being shared with the other party. This is interspersed with a number of open meetings between the parties and the Mediator to attempt to narrow the issues and achieve an agreed proposal. This helps the Mediator get an idea of what each party is hoping to achieve and which areas they may be willing to compromise on. Lawyers are often involved in the process, whether this is limited to preparing the documents (similar to court documents) for the session and/or attending with their clients in order to be on hand to give advice and if required, draft open settlement terms at the end of the session. Any financial information cannot be kept confidential from the other party and must be shared on an open basis.
The process can be particularly helpful where there are significant power imbalances or high levels of conflict. The Mediation can be conducted entirely on a “shuttle” basis, with both parties staying in separate rooms (with their lawyer if attending) and the Mediator only sharing with the other party information that is agreed can be shared on an open basis. The Mediation can be conducted entirely remotely.
Hybrid Mediation can take place over the course of one day, rather than separate individual sessions. If both parties’ lawyers are present, an open binding agreement can be drafted at the end of the session if both parties agree. With traditional Mediation, any agreement reached is non-binding until the parties make it binding through open correspondence via solicitors or through a court order.
Other professionals can also be involved in the process if required, such as an accountant or financial advisor.