Above, I’ve provided a link to a handout I’ve developed which provides a brief overview of roles in mediation. I find it useful when I explain mediation to participants. Other descriptions that I recommend are on the NADRAC [National ADR Advisory Council] site and the MSB [Mediator Standards Board] site. I developed my description from the NADRAC one in particular.
The handout is a brief overview of roles in mediation. In summary, the role of participants is to be responsible for the content of the mediation. They decide on the ‘what’ of their mediation. Participants then take responsibility for their substantive decisions. In some situations, the participants might choose to consult the mediator regarding the content. The mediator may then decide to provide generic information; not advice.
The mediator is responsible for the process of the mediation, the ‘how’ of mediation. The mediator might tentatively consult participants regarding the process in a way which maintains their even handedness. They then take responsibility for their procedural decisions.
Mediation Musings 