Plain explanation
What is mediation?
An informal conversation designed to solve a problem. Voluntary, confidential, and led by someone who is not on either side.
The short version
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which people involved in a conflict are helped by a neutral third party — the mediator — to resolve things collaboratively.
The mediator never takes sides and never imposes a solution. They help the participants reach an outcome they are both content with, which is then usually written up as an agreement.
It improves communication, builds on whatever common ground exists, and is a proven, cost-effective way to resolve conflict. We practise both facilitative and transformative mediation, and have developed our own processes and techniques over more than thirty years.
What actually happens
The shape is the same whether the dispute is between two colleagues or two community groups.
First
Someone refers it
A manager, an HR team, a housing officer, or one of the parties themselves. We assess whether mediation is appropriate before anything else happens.
Then
Private conversations
The mediator meets each party separately. This is where most of the work happens, and where people decide whether they are willing to sit down together.
Then
The joint session
A structured conversation, held by the mediator. Focused on what needs to happen next rather than relitigating what happened.
Finally
A written agreement
If the parties reach one. It belongs to them — they decide what, if anything, is shared with anyone else.
What mediation is not
It is not arbitration. Nobody decides who was right. If you need a ruling, mediation is the wrong process.
It is not counselling. The focus is a specific problem and a workable way forward, not the participants’ wider wellbeing — though people often find it does them good.
It is not a soft option. Sitting in a room and having the conversation you have been avoiding is harder than filing a grievance. It is simply more likely to leave you able to work together afterwards.
And it is not compulsory. Anyone can decline, at any point, without giving a reason.
Common questions
Is mediation legally binding?
To confirm — the status of a mediation agreement in workplace and community contexts.
How long does it take?
A standard two-party case is about ten hours of contact time across four meetings, not a single day. We contact everyone within two working days and arrange assessments within a further five. The gap between the shared dialogue and the resolution meeting is deliberate, so people can reflect before committing.
What does it cost?
A standard two-party mediation is £2,000 + VAT for about ten hours of contact time, and the early intervention model is £1,300 + VAT. Complex and multi-party cases are assessed first, at £300 + VAT per party, and quoted from there. Community work is charged at a reduced rate and is often covered by a funded programme.
Who are your mediators?
Practising mediators handling live cases every week, working to a published code of practice.
I want family mediation.
We do not provide it. Our colleagues at Family Mediation NI do, and we would point you to them.
Next step
Think mediation might help?
You do not need to be certain. Tell us roughly what is going on and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right process — and say so if it is not.