posted 2nd May 2023
Is remote Mediation (via video meeting) better than in-person?
Experience over many years confirms time and time again that remote mediation is a much more satisfactory way of conducting the mediation discussions.
Prior to Covid, both options – i.e. in person and remote, were offered, but the pandemic meant that all sessions had to move to remote only.
These remote sessions solidified our intention to move to remote only for several reasons:
It is much more convenient for both parties as they do not have to attend in person sessions which require (often) much more time off work or making child arrangements etc.
Remote mediation is much more cost effective which is reflected in the fee structure.
Without any doubt, the remote process is much less stressful on both parties. Very often during in-persons sessions, one or other of the parties would become extremely distressed, often needing to leave the session for a period of time to collect themselves. It would not be uncommon for a party to feel they were unable to continue with the session which would result in another appointment being required – thereby incurring further fees.
Remote sessions avoid the need for ‘shuttle’ mediation – which is where the parties are in separate rooms in the same building and the mediator ‘shuttles’ back and forth between them.
A video conference session is choreographed by the mediator who is able to ensure that both parties are heard, tempers do not become unmanageable or behaviour unacceptable.
Settlements are able to be reached much more expeditiously thereby avoiding the need for multiple sessions and further expense.
It is sometimes the case that a party will be insistent on an in-person session, their only reason being that they wish to have ‘their say’ in person to their spouse. However it must be remembered that for the purposes of the divorce settlement, the reasons for the breakdown of the marriage are not taken into account and therefore the stress of that in-person encounter is completely avoidable.
May 2023
