Practice Guidelines for Co-Mediation: Making Certain that 'Two Heads are Better than One'

Abstract

With the increasing call for co-mediation by trainers, academics, program administrators, and rule-makers for various purposes and in various contexts, it is imperative for co-mediators to understand the complexities inherent in a team dynamic. A co-mediation team must share a common vision of the mediation process while thoughtfully and carefully developing a rapport with each other and a strategy for maximizing the benefits that a team can offer. This article offers practice guidelines to ensure co-mediators capture potential advantages of a team and minimize the risk of potential harms from co-mediation.

Keywords: Mediation, Co-Mediation, Dispute Resolution, ADR