Talking Mediation on The Family Matters Show

I recently joined Benjamin Bryant and Heather McKinnon from Bryant McKinnon Lawyers on The Family Matters Show to talk about mediation, family dispute resolution and what people can expect from the process.

For many people, the thought of attending mediation can be daunting, particularly if they have never been through the process before. There can be uncertainty about what will happen on the day, whether they will need to be in the same room as their former partner, what happens if emotions run high, or how difficult conversations will be managed.

During our conversation, we talked through some of these concerns and looked at how mediation works in practice, including what happens before and during mediation, how mediators can manage difficult dynamics, and what options may be available if an agreement isn’t reached on the day.

We also spoke about something I consider particularly important: preparation. Understanding the process, obtaining legal advice where appropriate and thinking carefully about what you want to achieve can make a significant difference to the mediation experience.

My advice to anyone feeling nervous about an upcoming mediation is simple: give it a go and prepare, prepare, prepare!

Thank you to Ben and Heather for inviting me to join them for such a practical and informative conversation.

You can listen to Episode 70 of The Family Matters Show, Mediation with Alison Osmand: What is it and how to make it work for your family, via this link.