Mediation information meeting: seeing each party alone
How mediators can run the first information meeting separately with each party: what to explain, what to check, and how each person books their own slot.
6 min read
Hold the first information meeting separately with each party, on their own slot, and use it for three things: explain how mediation works, listen to what they expect, and check that mediation suits the situation before anyone sits at the same table. Offer it as its own service with one place per slot, in person or by video, and let each person book it independently. Neither party has to contact the other to find a date, and you start the process having heard both sides on equal terms.
Why see each party separately first
People arrive at mediation after a conflict, sometimes a long one. Asking them to agree on a date for a first meeting together can be the first thing they argue about. A separate meeting removes that step, and it gives each person room to say things they wouldn't say in front of the other: what worries them, what they hope for, what they fear the other side will do.
It also lets you assess things that are hard to see in a joint session, such as a strong imbalance between the parties or a situation where one person doesn't feel safe. You can then decide whether to continue, adapt the format or suggest another route.
What to cover in the meeting
- The process: what mediation is and isn't, your role as a neutral third party, how joint sessions run, how an agreement can be written up at the end.
- Voluntary participation: each person can stop at any time, and so can you.
- Confidentiality: what stays in the room, and the limits you apply.
- Fees and practicalities: your prices, session length, where sessions take place, video or in person.
- Their situation, briefly: the main issues and what they would like to reach, without going into every detail yet.
- Next step: whether a joint session makes sense, and how the date will be set.
Keep the same structure for both parties. It keeps you neutral in their eyes and makes the two meetings easy to compare when you prepare the first joint session.
Letting each party book their meeting
On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. You open slots for each service at the length it takes, and each slot has a number of places. For an information meeting, one place per slot: one person at a time.
| Service | Example slot | Places | Example price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information meeting (in person) | 45 min | 1 | Free |
| Information meeting (video) | 30 min | 1 | Free |
| Individual preparation session | 1 h | 1 | €70 |
Durations and prices are examples. Use the description to say what the meeting covers, where it takes place and that it doesn't commit anyone to continue. When one party contacts you, send them your booking page link and, if they agree, ask them to pass it on to the other party, or send it yourself if you have their details.
What to ask in the booking note
The public booking form asks for first name, last name, email and phone, plus an optional note. Your new-booking email shows the note, and the client's confirmation email carries it in the attached calendar file. Keep it minimal: the name of the other party so you can link the two meetings, and the type of dispute in a few words (family, neighbours, workplace, commercial). Say in the description that details are for the meeting itself, not the form. The note can't be edited once the booking exists.
When one party calls instead of booking
Some people prefer to phone. Create a slot for them and book them in yourself from your calendar: first and last name are required, email and phone optional. If you enter their email, they receive the same confirmation email as an online booking. A one-place slot is full once booked and no longer appears on your page.
If a party needs to change their meeting, they contact you; you reschedule or cancel from your bookings list and let them know, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. With calendar sync (Google, iPhone, Mac), information meetings sit next to your joint sessions. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.