The Decision Tree Tool is designed to provide objective and impartial guidance to assist users in making two important decisions concerning mediation: (1) whether to have an administered (i.e. mediate under the auspices of a mediation service provider) or non-administered mediation and (2) choosing a mediator to appoint.
Because mediation is consensual, selecting the right mediator and the right process is often the first thing parties find themselves agreeing on, often after a long history of disagreement. To the maximum extent possible, engage the other party or parties in this process. If all parties apply similar considerations when selecting a mediator, a joint choice will be easier to make.
Because mediation is not just consensual but also flexible, the process can be moulded to the parties’ needs. Choices that the parties need to make include all the branches on the Decision Tree.
One point of clarification before you start. The Tree refers to “Mediation Providers”. These are organizations and institutions that provide a mediation service to users. That service can vary widely in scope and contact but generally includes helping with the selection of a mediator and often case management support. SIMI is not such a Mediation Provider.
Having said that SIMI does have a list of partner Mediation Providers who are registered with SIMI under either our SIMI Registered Service Provider or SIMI Qualifying Assessment Program scheme. SIMI is impartial and will not be able to recommend a specific provider. It may also not be possible to make meaningful comparisons given the variation in the services provided by each Mediation Provider, their respective geographic reach and the distinctive needs of each case. The list is intended to be purely informational and users should also be open to consider other Mediation Providers who may not be listed on SIMI’s website.