How many mediation sessions will I need?
This depends upon how many issues there are to be resolved. In simpler cases, it may be two or three sessions. In more complex ones, it may be five or six sessions.
Each session normally lasts for an hour and a half, though this can be flexible. The mediator will help to keep the process running, and help you get an agreement. There is often a lot of preparatory work between sessions, such as finding out housing costs and disclosing financial information.
In Lawyer Assisted Mediation, your lawyers are with you throughout the mediation session or sessions. However, these tend to be longer, single sessions rather than a series of shorter mediation sessions.
Is it a cheaper option?
Mediation can be more cost effective than other types of Dispute Resolution. But this depends on how complex the issues are, and how easy – or otherwise – it is to get an agreement.
In the traditional or standard model of mediation, you see your solicitor separately and outside the mediation process – as and when you need to. That helps to keep the cost down.
Many lawyers are willing to give a fixed quotation for each mediation session.
