What Is Mediation?
A plain-language explanation of mediation in Ontario: what a certified mediator does, what they do not do, and how a fair agreement gets reached.
Mediation is a collaborative dispute resolution process where you and your partner meet with a mediator to resolve your issues without involving the court system.
At this point in Ontario, mediation is a voluntary process, meaning that the parties must agree to the process.
A Certified Mediator is a neutral party who is professionally trained to assist you in accomplishing an agreement that is mutually acceptable.
Mediators don’t make decisions on your behalf and cannot force you to agree on issues; however, they are able to assist you in understanding each other’s point of reference and what the law would dictate. The goal is to help you both compromise and agree on things.
Mediators are trained in the art of:
- Assisting you in negotiating a safe and fair agreement
- Screening and dealing accordingly with signs of power imbalance
- Always acting as a neutral party
- Keeping the best interest of the children as the main objective
When issues are agreed upon, they can be put into a separation agreement.
You can usually meet with a mediator before you start the process to discuss whether mediation is right for you. Contact me to find out more and to see if mediation is right for you.
Would you like to talk it through?
A complimentary 30-minute discovery call is the easiest way to find out whether mediation fits your situation.
Book a discovery call