There are several models that you can choose for your mediation.  In a traditional mediation, both parties and their attorneys meet with their mediator in a central, physical location.  Usually the mediator will use 3 rooms - one room where all the parties or their attorneys will meet, one room available to one party and a second room available to the other.  Most of the mediation takes place as the mediator walks back and forth between the two parties.  The parties may end up in the middle room at the beginning, at the end, or not at all - it just depends on the mediator’s style.

At IMS, we also offer virtual mediation where everyone - the two parties, and the mediator, all remain in their own offices and the mediation is conducted by Skype and online conferencing software.  Virtual mediations can keep costs down and can allow parties in different cities or states participate in real time. On the other hand there are some cases where the mediator can make more progress when everyone is at the same location and focused solely on the mediation.