There are three widely known and commonly used mediation styles that mediators approach to resolve conflicts within a mediation: facilitative, evaluative, and transformative. Court certified mediators, Stephanie and Kamesha, explain what each style entails.
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Facilitative Mediation involves a mediator who seeks to facilitate the negotiation between the parties. The facilitative method allows the mediator to listen to both parties' needs and interests in order to reach a mutual, agreeable solution. Facilitative mediators do not predict the outcome o the case nor comment on what a judge would possibly do in court.
Evaluative mediation aims to reach a deal between both parties. Evaluative mediators tend to predict court outcomes rather than focus on the parties' needs and interests in the mediation. They often make recommendations and suggestions to assess the legal merits of party arguments.
Transformative Mediation is when a mediator focuses primarily on repairing the relationship. Once the relationship is repaired, the mediator aims to resolve the dispute. The mediator bases the values of empowerment of parties and recognizes each of the parties' needs, interests, and points of view.
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Restorative Justice Mediators often use the transformative mediation approach when dealing with victims and offenders in a mediation. This approach allows victims and offenders to identify the injustices that caused injury to their relationship and then rectify the harm to restore equity in the community.
