Mediation Services in Dublin
Avoid Expensive Court Battles
What is Mediation?
As a Mediator I am often asked to explain mediation.
The way I would describe mediation is –
An informal but structured, voluntary and confidential process to reach a legally binding agreement between parties, usually two, which is done outside of the Court system but in accordance with the law.
Legal Definition of Mediation
The Mediation Act 2017 describes mediation as “a confidential, facilitative and voluntary process in which parties to a dispute, with the assistance of a Mediator, attempt to reach a mutually acceptable agreement to resolve the dispute”.
Here is a link to the Mediation Act 2017.
Benefits of Mediation
Mediation is a cost effective way of resolving disputes in a legally binding or non legally binding manner and provides the security of confidentiality. The parties themselves create their agreement – to live by their agreement. The agreement is called a Mediation Settlement(legally binding) or a Memorandum of Understanding(non legally binding).
Agreement to Mediate
In advance of the start of mediation the parties will receive an Agreement to Mediate document. This document explains the mediation process and sets out the ground rules.
Why is Mediation So Good?
COSTS
The costs of engaging a Mediator to settle a dispute are far less than going to Court. The costs of Mediation are on average 10% of the costs of Court proceedings.
EFFICIENCY
The matter can be resolved at a faster pace and in a shorter time frame. Some disputes can be resolved in one day and some over a few weeks.
PERSONAL
Each side gets individual time with the Mediator to explain their position, how the dispute has affected them and offer up suggestions to solve the dispute.
LESS STRESS
Stress can cause ill health. Mediation aims to dissolve the stress that flourishes in the battlegrounds of disputes. Mediation can bring the parties to a happier, healthier state of mind. Delivering positive effects for the physical and mental well being of the parties.
COMMUNICATION
Facilitates direct communication between the parties. If an agreement is reached to resolve the dispute, this agreement has been created by both parties themselves so it is more likely to succeed long term.
SELF DETERMINATION
Unlike Court where decisions are imposed – where one party will be the winner and the other party the loser. In Mediation both parties will win and both parties will lose some but the end result will be decided by the parties themselves.
Meet your Mediator
My name is Rachael.
In 2004, I qualified as a Solicitor with O’Rourke Reid Law Firm and was admitted to the Law Society of England and Wales and the Law Society of Ireland. I worked in legal practice in Dublin and in Northern Ireland before switching track to work in my parents’ business and later in my husband’s event business. I divorced in 2014 and remarried in 2017.
In May 2017, I completed my Diploma in Mediator Training with the Law Society of Ireland and became a member of the Mediators Institute of Ireland.
I have experience of conflict in both personal life and business life.
Conflict is generally unhealthy and can have a really negative impact on our health and lives. I want to help people in conflict situations to reach a peaceful resolution to whatever it is causing the conflict and to move on from it. I hope I can help to do that for everyone who engages me.
Rachael McDaid
LLB. MII
