What is the Role of a Mediator?
A summary of the role of a mediator:
- To provide open lines of communication between the participants, encouraging all participants to be fully involved in the mediation so that no one person dominates the discussions
- Assist the parties in clarifying issues and needs
- A mediator helps parties to “brainstorm” and to explore all possible solutions to conflict resolution
- Provide a safe and respectful environment where participants know that each of them will be heard and each will be a part of resolution
- To facilitate the discussion between the participants, to remain neutral at all times, to help the participants understand each other’s points of view
- Mediators do not give legal advice and do not give their opinion as to the possible outcome of litigation, they do not take sides or tell the parties what to do
