Mediation Services

Mediation is a voluntary process where the mediator helps facilitate effective discussions between people in conflict. Through this process, people often reach mutually beneficial solutions to resolve their differences.

The process begins with individual appointments for each of the parties. Then, in joint sessions, Ms. Hallman assists the parties in their negotiations. She helps the parties identify the issues to be resolved and uncover their underlying needs and interests. The parties then generate options for agreement with her assistance. She then encourages the parties to find solutions acceptable to both.

Ms. Hallman can put any agreements reached by the parties into a Memorandum of Agreement. When the parties have revised this draft agreement to their mutual satisfaction, she then sends copies to each of their lawyers so that they can provide their respective clients with independent legal advice.

The goal of the mediator is to guide people through a process that promotes cooperation and reduces bitterness. Ms. Hallman’s approach is to emphasize collaborative problem-solving and consensus-based decision-making.

She has been providing comprehensive mediation services relating to separation and divorce in the Golden Horseshoe area since 1990.

topHigh Conflict Mediation

In certain circumstances when parties have a highly conflicted relationship, the mediator can assist the parties to communicate in a very structured way that ensures more positive outcomes for the mediation. Ms. Hallman uses a unique model of co-mediation that offers clients a way of managing these high-conflict situations without recourse to litigation. She and one of her associates assist the parties in addressing their part in the high conflict relationship. They work with both parties to change the way each communicates and responds to the other.

Homework is often assigned for the parents to implement outside of the mediation and there is follow up with the homework in the mediation sessions. This model sometimes involves interviewing children in order to better understand their wishes and preferences in relation to the family structure. This process is very directive and the mediation sessions are paced to be no more than every two to three weeks apart in order to follow up with the parents.

topMediating Parenting Plans

In the event that parents are struggling with an appropriate parenting plan that would meet the needs, wishes and preferences of their children, Ms. Hallman and one of the mental health professionals that she works with, assist the parties by providing neutral feedback as to what the children’s wishes and preferences are. Ms. Hallman has years of experience as a lawyer with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer and is skilled at providing a voice for the children in the mediation process. The colleagues that Ms. Hallman works with, have extensive experience advocating for children going through the process of their parents separation.

topFive-Way Facilitation with Counsel Present

In the event that the parties in mediation are struggling with legally difficult issues or if they need the support of counsel in the mediation, Ms. Hallman structures very directed mediation sessions with counsel present. Counsel agree to participate in the spirit of mediation in a non-adversarial way in order to assist the parties in their mediation efforts. These directed sessions are structured to produce agreements within 1 to 2 sessions.

This process is usually set up by Ms. Hallman in consultation with counsel and the parties.