The Importance and Challenge of Active Listening in Mediation

Abstract

Before mediators can effectively help the parties resolve their disputes, mediators themselves must first understand and recognise the different needs and interests of the disputing parties, which requires actively listening to the parties. However, active listening – arguably the purest form of listening – is not an easy skill to acquire and apply in practice. This article explores the importance and examines some of the inherent challenges associated with actively listening to the parties in mediation.