What are Mediation Services and When Do You Need Them?
In families, conflicts are bound to occur between family members and spouses. Resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner without jeopardising the family bond is important and that’s where Gold Coast mediation services come in handy.
What are Mediation Services?
Mediation is a process in which a neutral party helps two parties resolve a conflict. The mediator does not tell you what to do and the decision of the mediation process rests entirely on the two parties involved. Mediation is governed by four principles to ensure integrity of the process. These principles are:
Mediation is a Voluntary Process
You are not obligated to see a mediator to resolve any conflict. The mediation process is voluntary and you only choose to go through the process on your own accord.
Mediation is Confidential
Another principle of mediation is confidentiality. The process is done between the two parties and the mediator and whatever is discussed remains between them. It can be helpful when you want to keep things private. When matters get to court, they are no longer confidential.
The Process is Without Prejudice and Impartial
Whatever is discussed between the parties and the mediator cannot be presented in a court of law as evidence because the process is without prejudice. Also, the mediator is impartial and does not favour either one of the parties involved.
The Parties Involved Have Control
The conflicting parties remain in control and the conflict is resolved only when they come to an agreement. If they do not come to an agreement on their own, there is nothing the mediator can do about it.
When is Mediation Necessary?
Gold Coast mediation services are necessary when a dispute occurs. It often involves families, but can also happen in employment. Here are some common instances that require Gold Coast mediation services:
Divorce
Divorce mediation is the most common. It helps spouses agree on issues concerning children, finances, property and other terms of the divorce.
Divorce is a confusing and emotionally disturbing phase for the involved parties. It can cause a lot of dispute as every party involved wants to hold on to as much as they can from the relationship they had.
Workplace Mediation
At the workplace, it is possible for disagreements to arise among employees and also between employees and the management. Disagreements between employees can cause a lot of resentment, affecting cooperation and teamwork.
Conflicts between employees and the management can cause workers to underperform because they feel undervalued. Mediation is important because it gives the parties involved an impartial platform where they can express their problems and solve the conflict without jeopardising performance.
Besides, the two forms of mediation can be used in any instance where conflict exists between two parties. When mediation has been done, the parties control the outcome and only do what they both agree to.
Discussions during Gold Coast mediation services are kept confidential and cannot be shared even in a court of law. It is meant to prevent escalation of further conflict and enhance honesty between the involved parties.
