Mediation

When is mediation helpful?

Mediation is especially effective if the parties need to continue working together even after a dispute. In cases where the parties are no longer communicating well or personal interests, emotions or mutual relationships play an important role, mediation can also help achieve a faster and more sustainable result. Not all disputes are suited to mediation. Sometimes legal proceedings are necessary or needed. This is why we always first assess whether mediation would actually provide added value for your situation. We mediate in various types of dispute. These include:

• Complex personal injury cases
• Disputes between employers and employees
• Shareholder disputes
• Family businesses where business and private interests intertwine
• Collaborative or board conflicts

Why choose mediation?

Mediation has several benefits over legal proceedings:

Confidentiality

The parties are able to discuss their conflict in a confidential setting and therefore communicate more openly.

Quicker results

Proceedings can take months or years. Mediation can often lead to a solution in a shorter timespan (sometimes just a single session).

Great influence on the outcome

In court proceedings, the decision is left to a court of law. In mediation, the parties themselves control the outcome.

Lower costs and reduced time burden

By reaching an agreement faster, long-winding proceedings and associated costs can be limited.

Maintaining relations

When parties need to continue working together in the future – for example as employer and employee, business partners, or stakeholders within an organisation – mediation helps keep the conversation open and often enables a fresh start.

Room for a customised solution

The solution is not limited to legal opinions. Rather, mediation pays special attention to the parties’ practical, organisational and personal interests.

How does the mediation process work?

The mediation process starts, if necessary, with an intake. This determines whether mediation is suitable for the conflict. The mediator then guides the discussions between the parties in a neutral and independent manner, without expressing an opinion or deciding on the outcome. The object is to have the parties talk to each other again and to guide them towards an agreement backed by both of them. If the parties do reach an agreement, the arrangements are set out in writing in a settlement agreement.

Our mediators: legal expertise combined with practical knowledge

Our mediators combine their mediation skills with years of experience in with complex legal matters. We therefore understand not only the legal context of a conflict, but also the underlying interests and dynamics. We use mediation in a targeted way: not as a standard solution, but when it genuinely offers added value for the parties and leads to an effective resolution.

What is an MfN-registered mediator?

Our mediators are registered as such with the Dutch Mediation Federation (MfN). The MfN register is the national quality register for mediators in the Netherlands. An MfN-registered mediator:

• Has completed an accredited mediation training programme;
• Meets strict quality requirements;
• Has demonstrable experience;
• Works according to the established rules of conduct and mediation regulations;
• Continues to develop through ongoing professional education;
• Is subject to independent complaints and disciplinary law rules.
  For the parties this means that they can rely on expertise, quality and a professional, meticulous approach.

Contact us

If you want to know whether mediation is appropriate for your situation, please do not hesitate to contact our mediators. We are happy to work with you to identify the most effective route to a solution.