Mediation: define the assignment and services
Mediation helps participants develop their own resolution. The mediator structures discussion without deciding who is right.
Define the assignment
Family, workplace, neighbour and commercial disputes call for different experience. Describe the setting and what you want to clarify without disclosing the entire dispute.
Specify the result
Agree a suitability discussion first. Individual preliminary talks, joint sessions and a written understanding may follow. Legal review or court approval of an agreement is a separate matter. Define documentation, recipients and included follow-up.
| Service | Agreement to make |
|---|---|
| Preliminary discussion | Discuss suitability, participation and roles |
| Sessions | Explore issues, interests and options |
| Understanding | Clarify feasibility, form and further review |
Prepare the inquiry
Give the expected participant count and whether willingness to talk is established or needs exploring. Language, in-person or video preference and known proceedings help planning. Allegations, other people’s names and sensitive family information are unnecessary in the first inquiry.
Describe the scope and available information without copying confidential originals into the first inquiry. Unknown technical details can remain open. Later agree a suitable transfer channel and a person responsible for questions.
Clarify responsibilities and limits
Participation and acceptance of a resolution are voluntary. An inquiry does not bind the other side. Discuss neutrality, confidentiality and limits in the mediation agreement. Ongoing proceedings or deadlines need separate clarification; this inquiry does not suspend them. Suitability and legal support are considered for the particular case.
Compare costs and billing
Sessions, preparation, individual talks, rooms, travel and written agreements may be charged differently. Agree allocation between participants too. Public support depends on the procedure and responsible canton; it is not general free provision. Session count cannot reliably be guaranteed in advance.
Compare the same service over the same period. Ask for setup, ongoing work, additional effort, expenses and VAT to be shown separately where applicable. Clarify approval of additional work. Without specific information a national price range would be misleading.
How the assignment proceeds
After contact, assess voluntary participation and a suitable setting. The mediation agreement defines roles and rules. Discussion collects issues and interests, develops options and checks feasibility. A possible understanding is recorded with unresolved points and further review visible.
First discuss the objective, scope and responsibilities. The quotation then records services, assumptions and exclusions. Check an agreed first stage before substantial further work starts. At completion record the result, unresolved matters and handover; changes need an agreed approval process.
Compare quotations carefully
Check what will actually be delivered and what contribution you must make, as well as price. A low basic fee can be offset by extras or missing services. Give every provider the same requirements.
| Check | What the quotation should explain |
|---|---|
| Scope | Included work and expressly excluded tasks |
| Cooperation | Contact person, questions and approvals |
| Billing | Charging basis, extras and terms for additional work |
| Setting | Neutrality, field, language and handling of individual talks |
Checklist before starting
Agree these together before starting.
- Participation. Check willingness without presuming consent
- Agreement. Record rules and cost allocation
- Further procedure. Clarify known deadlines and agreement review
Frequently asked questions
Can one party make the first inquiry?
Yes. The initial discussion can explore joint participation. It does not replace the voluntary agreement of others.
Does the mediator decide the dispute?
No. They facilitate the participants’ own resolution process. An agreement and its legal effects are reviewed separately.
Do I need complete records first?
No. Explain what is available and what remains to be clarified. Records needed for the actual work are agreed later.
Should I include confidential content in the inquiry?
No. A brief description of the need is enough. Credentials, complete customer files and information about third parties belong in a later agreed protected exchange.
Is the commissioned service free?
The free quotation inquiry does not replace a fee proposal. Agree costs and assignment terms with the selected provider.
How is the timetable agreed?
Give any known date and explain its significance. The provider must check capacity, necessary information and dependencies; an inquiry does not yet confirm a delivery date.
