Attending an appointment with a mediator, who will provide information about mediation and other forms of dispute resolution, is compulsory for any applicant wanting to go to court for a family matter. Deciding to use mediation is voluntary. No one can be forced to mediate. Both clients need to agree to use mediation and either can stop the process at any time.

Mediators act for both clients equally and openly. Mediators do not judge, give advice, take sides or decide who is right and wrong. They will not have acted for either side prior to mediation. Mediators will ensure that everyone in the room has equal time and space to talk.

Family mediators control the process but recognise parents as the experts in making decisions and seeks to empower them to do so in a constructive and collaborative way. Mediators are not judges or arbitrators and so do not tell people what they are going to do.