Are there different kinds of mediators?
Yes, there are two main types of mediators, i.e., facilitators and evaluators. Facilitators are more “hands-off,” spending their time assisting the parties to come to an agreement and working to keep the parties talking. Evaluators are more “hands-on,” offering opinions of the value of the case. Some mediators combine both types and serve both as facilitators and evaluators. They might work more as facilitators at the beginning of the Mediation and work more as evaluators toward the end of the Mediation. Regardless of the type of mediator, most of the experienced mediators know that settlement is a difficult process and that persistence in achieving the end result is necessary. Therefore, they are willing to spend whatever time and energy is required to that end. Frequently, an apparent impasse is only the beginning of an effective mediator’s work at Mediation.
