Virtual Online Mediations

Typically, a conventional ‘ face-to-face’ mediation commences with the parties’ arrival at the agreed venue, usually a solicitor’s office, and following a welcome in a reception-cum-waiting room area, they are escorted to a private room and joined there for an initial private discussion with the mediator. Thereafter it is very often the case that each party’s team or group gather together with the others at the mediator’s invitation in a joint meeting chaired by him or her after which there may be more joint meetings involving all the mediation participants, or just some (e.g. the mediator along with the parties’ legal representatives). Invariably though there will be other one-to-one meetings conducted by the mediator with the parties individually within the privacy of their own rooms allocated to them at the beginning of the mediation day.

Thanks to the development of some sophisticated online technology created by ZOOM, since early 2020 it has been possible to replicate the face-to-face model by creating not only a virtual waiting room facility but also a series of virtual and totally secure private breakout rooms for the parties and the mediator ‘to occupy’.

Mediation Resolution maintains and manages a ZOOM PRO ACCOUNT for the use of its clients, free of charge, in virtual online mediations which because of the Covid 19 pandemic became ‘the norm’ for several years. Now though many more mediations are being conducted face-to face and that trend is very likely to continue.

Our mediators have been trained in the use of ZOOM for civil/commercial as well as workplace mediations. A number of helpful tools for use before and during such mediations have been worked-up by Mediation Resolution and put to good use: among them, a suggested pre-mediation day preparation timetable for the parties to agree, an online checklist for them to complete in advance of the mediation day and a virtual rooming template for the parties and the mediator to use during it.

Your attention is drawn to each of Mediation Resolution’s:

  • Model Procedure for Virtual Online Mediations (in particular, see paras. 8 & 10)
  • Pro forma Mediation Agreement for Online and Telephonic Mediations (2024 Edition)
  • Terms and Conditions for Civil/Commercial Mediations (both in person ‘face to face’ as well as online)
  • Terms and Conditions for Workplace Mediations (both in person ‘face to face’ as well as online)
  • Specimen suggested pre-mediation preparation timetable
  • Pre-mediation checklist for virtual online mediations
  • Virtual ‘rooming’ arrangements/locations template

Each of these will be found in the Documentation and Resources section of this website.

“I was really impressed with him. He was nice and helpful and as an impartial observer, the reality touch he gave was very useful. His style was fair, realistic, and sensible. He was chosen based on his experience and as a solicitor.”

  • Mediation Services

    Mediation is one of a number of Alternative Dispute Resolution processes which is engaged in by parties to a dispute with the intent that such should be resolved without the need for either to be drawn into litigation or, if they have been already, be the subject of an adjudication at a trial.

    Learn more
  • Virtual Online Mediation

    Thanks to the development of some sophisticated online technology created by ZOOM, since early 2020 it has been possible to replicate the face to face model by creating not only a virtual waiting room facility but also a series of virtual and totally secure private breakout rooms for the parties and the mediator ‘to occupy’.

    Learn more
  • Other Services

    Kevin Smyth shall be pleased to provide advice upon what other dispute resolution processes can be provided and which may be suitable. Similarly recommendations can be made as to where appropriate and competent legal advice can be readily obtained.

    Learn more
  • About Mediation Resolution

    Kevin Smyth is a full-time Civil/Commercial and Workplace Mediator having been trained and accredited as such by CEDR. He also acts as a Dispute Resolution Advisor.

    Learn more