Before mediation takes place, each party is invited to meet the mediator individually. This is known as a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is not always required in commercial matters, but we strongly recommend it.

The purpose of this meeting is to give you time and space to explain your concerns, ask questions, and decide whether mediation is the right approach. You can speak freely in the knowledge that nothing said will be passed to anyone else without your permission.

For many clients, this is a valuable moment to pause, reflect and understand what is possible.

Once both parties agree to mediation as the preferred method of resolving their dispute, we help you prepare thoroughly.

We can help arrange the date and location of the session, whether that is in person or online. We will confirm who needs to attend and help everyone involved understand what to expect. You will be invited to provide a short summary of your position, and we will guide you through that process.

This stage also covers practical details such as confidentiality, access to documents, and enabling the right decision makers to be involved. Our aim is to remove uncertainty and give you clarity before the mediation day begins.

The mediation session is structured to help you focus, think clearly, and move towards resolution.

The day usually begins with a short joint opening session attended by both parties. This allows the mediator to outline the process, set expectations, and establish a professional and respectful tone.

Following this, most of the day is spent in a combination of joint discussions and private meetings. The mediator facilitates these core conversations whether together or separately to encourage open communication, explore possible solutions, and identify points of compromise. These discussions are entirely confidential when held in private.

You are free to express your concerns, test ideas, and decide what information or proposals the mediator may carry to the other side. At every stage, you remain in control of the outcome.

The mediator remains impartial and does not impose decisions. Their role is to support your thinking, guide constructive negotiation, and help both sides consider outcomes that may not yet have been explored.

If full agreement is not reached on the day, that does not mean the process has failed. Many clients still gain clarity, reduce the scope of the dispute, or agree on how to continue discussions. The mediator will support you in identifying the most constructive way forward.

The mediator is not a judge and does not impose decisions. Their role is to remain impartial and support both parties in working towards a resolution that they control.

Rather than determining outcomes, the mediator facilitates communication, helps clarify priorities, and keeps discussions focused on practical, forward-looking solutions. They are there to guide the process, manage any tensions that arise, and ensure that everyone is heard.

At The Olive Branch Company, our approach is grounded in empathy, clarity, and professionalism. With professional experience in legal disputes and specialist training in conflict resolution, our mediator is skilled at helping parties move through even the most difficult conversations to reach fair, balanced, and lasting outcomes.

Choosing to mediate is a decision that requires trust. You need to know that the process will be conducted with professionalism, integrity and care. We are committed to providing exactly that.

If you would like to explore whether mediation is right for your situation, we invite you to get in touch. Your enquiry will be treated in confidence, and we will help you take the next step with clarity.