Mediating the pandemic: Resolving disputes in the COVID19 Age

Mediation is a popular alternative dispute resolution method that brings all the relevant parties into the same room to discuss their perspectives and to try to reach a resolution.

So how do you mediate whilst practising social distancing and avoiding face to face?

While there are a few online dispute resolution platforms, we have looked at strategies using a variety of readily available technical solutions. The purpose of this note is not to review any particular application but rather to draw out the key mediation factors that should be satisfied in any given digital platform.

1. Replicating the room

2. TIP: Create three virtual meeting rooms (VMR):

   1. VMR 1 – Access granted to all parties;