Coordinating with the parties or the case manager means organizing the necessary logistics, scheduling, and communication with all parties to ensure a smooth and efficient mediation experience, whether it is conducted informally (ad hoc) or through a formal mediation center, with the assistance of a designated case manager.

Complying with ethical rules and policies means adhering to the established rules and principles guiding the procedure, committing to upholding them, and consequently ensuring fairness, neutrality, and confidentiality throughout the mediation proceedings.

The first mediation session is the initial meeting between the parties and the mediator, whether mandated by law, referred by a judge, provided by a contract clause or voluntarily undertaken, at the end of which a decision is made voluntarily to proceed or
not with the full mediation process.

Gather information and solicit mediation briefs is the process of acquiring initial data and details about the dispute from relevant written documents and direct discussions with the parties involved to gain a basic understanding of the dispute before the formal mediation process begins

Ensure party representation is the act of clarifying in advance who will participate on behalf of each party and verifying their respective authority to settle at the behest of their constituencies.

An appropriate process design involves creating a tailored mediation process aligned with the dispute type, the parties’ preferences, the reasons for seeking mediation, and the wishes and expectations of the participants, in order to create an environment conducive to reaching an effective resolution.

Co-mediation is a collaborative approach in which two or more mediators work together as a team to facilitate the mediation process in a complementary way, each contributing to the professional conduct of the mediation procedure.

Power imbalances include any disparity in influence, resources, or authority between the parties involved, which can usually be attributed to differing knowledge, information, finances, or legal advice that the parties have previously received and which ultimately
affect the dynamics of the mediation and the outcome of the process.

Retaliation and violence between the parties, whether real or perceived, are factors that undermine the self-determination of participants in mediation and, as such, represent serious threats to people’s physical and mental health that require immediate active intervention by the mediator to address them in a timely manner.