Initial Consultation

The initial consultation typically lasts 2 hours and is dedicated to understanding your matter(s) and completing any necessary documentation to identify the issues. As a requirement for mediation, we also conducted a complete safety and risk screening for all participants during this initial meeting.

At Relationship Mediation, we recognize that individuals in dispute may only sometimes see a way forward and may be hesitant to discuss their issues. Therefore, we start with separate private and confidential meetings with each participant. Geoff, our Experienced Mediator, ensures that participants are brought together in a different room to discuss their issues after these private sessions. This approach allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues within the dispute and ensure that there are no risk factors applying to either party.

During the second meeting, when both parties attend together (where safe and appropriate), an agenda is created to summarize and list what each person wants to discuss. Both parties are encouraged to discuss what they hope to achieve and the options they may offer to address their concerns. By examining each issue, the parties can determine if more time is required to reach a mutually agreed-upon point of view.

When agreements are reached, our Mediator(s) will assist in drafting and writing the agreement. If the agreements are subject to a legal process, the parties will discuss how this will be arranged. If agreements cannot be reached on all areas of difference, mediation can help identify which issues can be followed up in the process. The parties can then return for another session or be issued a Certificate (s60i) to proceed to Family Court.