With the onset of the omnicron coronavirus variant many people in the midst of a dispute will be considering how to arrange a mediation when the advice is to work from home.
As mediators we adapted to the original pandemic by mediating remotely online using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The Courts also converted a lot of hearings into online or telephone hearings, so people did not have to travel to court and put themselves or others at risk. We now have a situation where the Courts were going back to “normal” with more hearings in person.
As our Adr Roadshow (part funded by the EU) demonstrated, (www.ProMediate.co.uk/Adr-roadshow) parties are finding that online ADR is an effective way to resolve disputes. Over 90% of people who used mediation found it helped to resolve their consumer dispute with a business.
The majority of the mediations we organise are now remote. After a recent commercial one day mediation by Zoom we received the following feedback from a solicitor afterwards:
Remote mediation worked very well, breakout rooms allowed confidential discussion and aided resolution
The same solicitor also considered that mediation should be considered by parties before starting proceedings. As to the performance of the mediator he commented:
Very helpful. Professional and greatly assisted settlement
We would therefore urge parties considering delaying a mediation because of omnicron to try a remote mediation instead. It does work.
To organise an online mediation or to discuss the options please get in touch with us.