Benefits of a Joint Session V. Caucus
By: settleflorida
November 6, 2018
10:03 am
While mediators often vouch for joint sessions, mediation isn’t a one size fits all proposition. The mediation process should be guided by several different factors including the needs and comfort level of the participants. From product liability claims to divorce disputes, whether to move forward with a joint session vs. a caucus varies greatly for every scenario.
A Few Benefits of a Joint Session
- Enhances the communication process by encouraging the direct sharing of thoughts, ideas and feelings between the two parties,
- Encourages productive behavior and allows mediators to help the parties,
- When properly utilized, joint session allows each party to observe the passion and emotion of the other party.
A Few Benefits of a Caucus
- Allows both parties to make their individual views known and feel understood by the mediator without interference or objection from the other party,
- When a party to the dispute is not ready to share confidential information with the other party but feels that the mediator should know in order to assist the process to move forward more effectively,
- Best option if physical, mental or verbal abuse or criminal behavior is a concern.
There’s simply not “one option fits all” for a successful mediation. A skillful mediator possesses the skills, tact and experience to guide a process that’s best suited to the participants’ needs and comfort level.
There’s simply not “one option fits all” for a successful mediation.
A skillful mediator possesses the skills, tact and experience to guide a process that’s best suited to the participants’ needs and comfort level.
