What is Co-mediation?
Use of Co-mediation
Co-mediation involves having two mediators work together as a team. Some of the advantages of this approach include:
For the Participants:
- The mediation team can represent disputants' diverse characteristics (e.g. male/female, Anglo/Hispanic, older/younger, etc.)
- A disputant has a better chance of feeling a sense of trust with at least one of the two mediators
- The disputants have the advantage of the combined skills of two mediators, whose skills usually enhance and complement each other
- Co-mediators can model co-operative problem-solving and direct-as in as a director or speaking directly to disputants
- There is a better "check" on mediators' biases or shortcomings
For the Mediators:
- Having a partner eases the load and tension of mediation, especially in difficult cases and multi-party situations
- Tasks can be comfortably divided when mediators are intentionally paired (e.g. a person skilled at handling emotions matched with a person skilled at practical problem solving)
- A team is less likely to be "co-opted" by a party
- Co-mediators can learn new techniques from each other in the process
- Sessions can be debriefed and strategies planned with a Co-mediator
- A less experienced mediator can work with a more experienced mediator