Mediation: a way to work it out

This information is for people attending mediation.

Who can attend

Everyone who must be involved in making decisions about the dispute needs to be there.

Support people

You can bring a support person but everyone must agree on who can attend before the mediation starts. Support people are there as emotional and practical support and do not speak in the mediation, unless by agreement of all participants. Support people are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Lawyers and witnesses

Lawyers and witnesses are not required as the mediator is not there to assess the situation or make any legally binding decisions. If you have any legal concerns or questions, you are encouraged to seek legal advice before attending. The Community Justice Centre can provide you with contact details for free legal services.

Being in the same room as the other person

Mediation generally involves being in the same room and discussing issues in a safe and controlled environment. If you are worried about being in the same room as the other person you can request a video, teleconference or a shuttle mediation across separate rooms.

Time involved

Preparing for mediation can involve a number of phone calls and the mediation appointment can take up to 4 hours. The process involves exploring the issues in detail and considering how best to resolve them.

Mediator qualifications

Mediators at the Community Justice Centre are qualified under the National Mediator Accreditation System. They come from a range of professional backgrounds and have extensive experience in the Northern Territory .