And, the mediator needs to be readily available and accessible so the mediation can be held at a time and place that is convenient and cost effective to all parties. On this page, we give you factors to consider and questions to ask in each of these areas to help you select a mediator for your dispute. The mediation process and the way a mediator will structure and manage the process, from the convening and preparation stage onward, will tend to be different in different types of cases. It can contribute or even be essential to a mediator's effectiveness. In some cases, a mediator will use his or her subject matter expertise to ask the right questions and help parties explore the terrain.
Some mediators use several different approaches in different situations.
However, that approach may well backfire. If party A selects a mediator who in fact leans his way, the result may be that the mediator is less able to move the other party B to a mutually agreeable outcome than a mediator who is, and is seen by everyone, as being truly neutral and impartial. Paradoxically, if you select a mediator who you think may have favourable political or philosophical leanings, you will probably get a less favourable outcome. This is pretty simple. In general, an individual mediator's rates will depend on his or her qualifications.