The Role of the Mediator

During the mediation, the mediator will:

• keep the best interests of the children as the paramount consideration of discussions
• help you to identify the issues you wish to discuss
• help you to remain focused on the issues
• manage the mediation process, so that those issues may be discussed
  
• help you to identify options as potential solutions to issues
• challenge you and reality test the reasoning behind discussions
• draft agreements in writing

The mediator will not:

• make decisions for you
• tell you what to do
• take sides with either parent
• provide legal advice

It is important that you obtain legal advice. You may do this before, during and after the mediation process.  We recommend, as a minimum, that you obtain legal advice prior to the mediation.