Many people believe that when they proceed with their family law matter that court is the only effective way to move forward. This is not true. Though litigation may be an effective way to address your matter, it really depends on the type of matter one is dealing with, as litigation is costly and time consuming. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a process that all parties in any family law matter should consider before bringing any application to court or even after a court process is in progress.
There are different types of ADR ranging from mediation, arbitration to collaborative family law practices. Mediation is an extremely useful process. It is the concept where two parties simply obtain a third-party impartial mediator whom they can meet with or without their lawyers, to assist with settlement discussions. It is a time for open discussion where each party’s voice is heard, with a focus on negotiation and settlement. Sometimes parties may want to conduct negotiations with a mediator’s assistance but are unable to be present in the same room. This is where shuttle mediation can come in.