Caroline Kelly Mediation Room

Voluntary Nature of Mediation:

Mediation is a voluntary process, providing you with the right to withdraw at any time. This flexibility differs from a court hearing, where the consent of the opposing party, in addition to the permission of the Judge, is required. We prioritise your autonomy in the mediation process.

While resolution may not always be possible, even an agreement to disagree can be a step in the right direction. Such agreements can leave the door open for future discussions, promoting ongoing dialogue and understanding.

In the mediation process, you play an active role in resolving your dispute. Our skilled mediator facilitate discussions between you and the other party, ensuring impartiality throughout. We understand the importance of maintaining a neutral stance to promote a fair resolution.

Mediation is a confidential process, safeguarding the privacy of discussions and agreements made in private. Nothing will be disclosed to others without the unanimous agreement of all parties involved.

Mediation proves to be a cost-effective alternative to court proceedings, encompassing not only monetary costs but also promoting lower costs to mental health and well-being. We believe almost every dispute is capable of resolution, regardless of the stage it has reached.   

It is never too late to mediate.

You Play an Active Part in the Mediation :

Unlike traditional dispute resolution processes in courts and tribunals which required you to attend on the day of the hearing, tell your story and almost become passive to what happens next; in that tense environment, the appointed lawyers take charge of the dispute and often manage it on your behalf subject to your instructions. Mediation is different from that process in that you must be proactive throughout, you are encouraged by the mediator to actively participate in the process in order to make it effective.

Restoring Communication & Building Relationships:

We are dedicated to helping individuals in conflict to restore or develop good communication, fostering an environment for calm and equable dialogue. This creates an atmosphere that promotes greater understanding between parties.

Evaluative is the most formal style of mediation and very often adopts the structure of an out- of –court settlement. Evaluative mediators have a pragmatic, ‘no-nonsense’ approach to dispute resolution. They maintain most of the control throughout the mediation, the parties (and lawyers) remain is separate rooms and the mediator goes ‘shuttles’ from room to room explaining each party’s strengths and weaknesses to the other party, in their endeavour to reach a settlement. Evaluative mediators are likely to make recommendations. This type of mediation is most useful when time is limited or there is an unequal power dynamic between the parties. 

Transformative is the opposite of evaluative mediation and is the least formal of the 3 types of mediation. The parties are invited to shape the mediation process themselves and they lead it assisted by the mediator. The mediator does not maintain control and instead supports the parties in resolving their problems. The goal in transformative mediation is to create time and space for the parties to express their emotions and opinions, find common ground regarding emotional issues, agree (or even agree to disagree) and preserve their relationship.

Facilitative is a middle ground between evaluative and transformative mediation. The mediator’s goals are to assist and allow the relationship between the parties to improve (and certainly not to deteriorate further) as well as reaching a settlement. The mediator will encourage and facilitate both parties (and lawyers) being in the same room at times when it will assist in bringing about a resolution. The mediator uses techniques including re-stating and reframing the parties assertions and also uses open ended questioning which helps to psychologically separate the person from the problem and allows for an exploration of feelings and interests that can help achieve mutual understanding between the parties, as a foundation for agreement and settlement.

"We were at a crossroads in our family, and Caroline Kelly's expertise in family mediation was a turning point. She created a safe and empathetic space for us to address our differences and find common ground. Caroline guided us through the process, ensuring our children's well-being remained a top priority. We are grateful for her invaluable assistance in helping us to create a safe space in which to discuss the important issues."

"Caroline's probate mediation skills were very helpful to our family during a challenging time. We were overwhelmed by the complexities of an inheritance dispute which was also extremely emotional, but Caroline's compassionate approach helped us find amicable resolutions. Her expertise in probate matters, combined with a genuine understanding of our concerns, made the process smoother than we could have imagined."

"Caroline Kelly's commitment to community mediation has had a profound impact on our  apartments residents' committee. Her ability to facilitate open communication and resolve disputes including roof and common area maintenance has been transformative. Through her guidance, we've been able to build stronger connections and guard against similar problems occurring into the future. We highly recommend Caroline for her exceptional community mediation services."