Making Mediation Work

Gemma Rope, solicitor with Bryant McKinnon is our guest host for this episode.  She and Heather welcome psychologist and mediator Anthony Smith to talk about how to make mediation work.  With over 25 years and 2000 mediations under his belt, Anthony calls on his experience to provide tips and advice that will help to realise positive outcomes in family law mediation.

Topics and questions covered include:

1. The ways that family law disputes about property and children can be mediated.
2. The best approach to mediation.
3. Choosing the right mediator.
4. When to start the mediation process.
5. How mediation differs from counselling.
6. Whether or not to include children in a mediation process.
7. When mediation is not appropriate.
8. Legally assisted mediation: how does it differ from other types of mediation?
9. Effectiveness of mediation when parties just want to get to Court.
10. Top 3 recommendations to ensure that mediation actually works.

The show also makes a strong case for why it's worth making mediation work and avoiding the emotional and financial costs of Court.