We also dive into what happens after the joint session, when parties break into their own private caucus rooms. You will see how the mediator facilitates the negotiation by moving between rooms to exchange information throughout the day.
The goal of mediation has evolved over the years to be more about finding common ground in a comfortable setting. Watching this short video will give you a clear roadmap of the day so you can walk into your session feeling prepared and confident. Click the link above to watch and take the mystery out of your mediation day!
Video Transcript
So typically at mediation, the first thing that happens is a joint session. And that is where all of the parties with their respective attorneys are in one room together. And the mediator gives an introduction and explains what the schedule will be and kind of explains a bit about their mediation style and what will be happening that day. Typically at that introductory joint session, the parties are not put on the spot to say anything about their case. The attorneys usually do not make opening statements there. It’s really not a time for advocacy. In years past, it was used for those purposes, but I have seen mediation change through the years. And so today typically there’s a joint session at the beginning just kind of to explain what’s going to be going on. After that, the parties break into their respective caucus rooms. So each party with their attorney or attorneys will be in their own conference room and then the mediator will go back and forth between or among the various rooms throughout the day exchanging information.