Mediation services across New Zealand
Settle your dispute by agreement.
The Mediation Hub helps people resolve disputes through mediation. Based in Auckland and available across New Zealand, we provide a neutral, structured process for parties to work towards an agreed outcome.
Mediation is a formal process where a neutral mediator helps people work through a dispute without making the decision for them. It can provide an alternative to the cost, delay and uncertainty of going to court.
Neutral and impartial
Economical
Confidential
The mediation pathway
Enquiry to agreement
1
Enquiry
Tell us the type of dispute and who is involved. No obligation.
2
Intake and agreement to mediate
Confirm the mediator, venue, scope and a mediation agreement.
3
Pre-mediation meetings
Each party speaks with the mediator in confidence about the process and the issues.
4
Joint mediation session
A structured conversation on the real issues, with breakout spaces for separate discussions.
5
Agreement
Where the parties agree, the terms are recorded in writing.
Who mediation helps
A neutral option for lawyers, organisations, families and individuals.
Mediation provides a confidential way to resolve disputes without the cost, delay and uncertainty of going to court. It can be used for a wide range of civil, commercial, employment, property and family matters.
01
Law firms
Refer clients to professional, impartial mediators experienced in a wide range of disputes.
02
Organisations
Resolve commercial, employment, property, lease or trust disputes with less disruption to your business.
03
Individuals and families
Work through relationship property, estate or family matters with professional support in a calm, private setting.
04
Referrers
Refer people to a professional, structured mediation process and mediators you can have confidence in.
mediation Services
Dispute areas we mediate.
Mediation can help resolve many types of disputes without the cost, delay and uncertainty of court proceedings. We mediate a wide range of commercial, employment, property, estate, trust, relationship property and civil disputes.
Commercial disputes
Contract, partnership, shareholder and supplier disputes between businesses or within a business.
Employment relations
Workplace conflict, employment exits and personal grievance matters handled confidentially.
Property and leases
Property, lease and boundary disputes resolved without the delay and uncertainty of a hearing.
Wills, estates and trusts
Estate and trust disputes involving trustees, settlors, beneficiaries and family members.
Relationship property and family
Separation, relationship property and family disputes approached with care and privacy.
Civil disputes
Other civil disputes where an agreed resolution is preferable, including contract, construction, negligence and neighbour disputes.
The process
Before, during and after mediation.
Mediation can be used for a range of disputes and tailored to the circumstances. The mediator keeps the conversation on track and remains impartial throughout the process. The mediator does not decide the outcome. Any settlement is reached by agreement between the parties.
Before
Prepare
Confirm the mediator, the issues in dispute and the mediation agreement. Book our rooms or an external venue, or arrange remote mediation.
During
Private and joint sessions
The mediator guides a structured conversation, hearing from each party in turn, with the option to meet each party privately throughout the mediation.
During
Work through options
The parties identify the real issues, test practical options, consider alternatives to settlement and work to narrow the gap between their positions.
After
Record the outcome
Where the parties reach agreement, the terms are recorded in writing so everyone is clear about what has been agreed.
Common questions
What people ask before mediating.
Will mediation suit my type of dispute?
Mediation can be used for many types of disputes, including commercial, employment, property, lease, estate, trust and relationship property matters. We can discuss your dispute with you and confirm whether mediation may be suitable.
Is mediation confidential?
Mediation is generally confidential. The confidentiality requirements that apply will be set out in the agreement to mediate before the mediation takes place.
Do I need a lawyer to take part?
Not necessarily. Whether you should have a lawyer involved will depend on the nature and complexity of the dispute. You can also obtain independent legal advice before or during the mediation process.
What happens if we do not reach agreement?
The mediator does not impose a decision. If the parties cannot reach agreement, they can consider other options for resolving the dispute, including court proceedings where appropriate.
How is mediation different from going to court?
In court, a judge makes a decision based on the law and evidence. In mediation, an impartial mediator helps the parties work towards an outcome they can agree on. This gives the parties greater control over the outcome.
What should I expect on the day?
The mediator will usually meet with each party privately and guide joint and separate discussions throughout the mediation. The process is structured but can be adapted to suit the dispute and the parties involved.
How do I prepare for mediation?
You may be asked to provide a summary of the dispute and key documents before mediation. It is also useful to consider the issues that matter most to you and the outcomes you are prepared to discuss.
Do I have to settle if I attend mediation?
No. The decision to settle remains with the parties. The mediator helps facilitate the discussion but does not force either party to agree.
What happens if we reach an agreement?
Where agreement is reached, the terms are recorded in writing so the parties have a clear record of what has been agreed.
Enquiry and booking
Ask about mediation.
Tell us a little about the dispute and how to reach you, so we can guide you through the next steps.