It's a question we get asked all the time - will we do online mediation training? 

The answer is no - and that will never change! The reason? You just can't train anywhere near as effectively over a computer screen - it really is as simple as that.

Mediation skills are all about interactivity with people and we all know what it's like sat on Zoom or Teams for a few hours - I can only imagine how awful it would be for three or five days!!! Most importantly though, you will never get the interactivity through coaching that training in-person gives. It's those subtle skills that make the difference between an 'OK' mediator and a great one!

In my book it's all about standards and people or organisations in disputes who are paying professionals to help them move forward deserve the best. 

Prior to Covid lockdowns, the Civil Mediation Council would not recognise online training as adequate to become an accredited mediator, I wholeheartedly agreed with that - and I still do. Unfortunately, due to pressure from other training providers the standards for training have been lowered, so you can now become an accredited mediator via an online course. I personally feel that it's a real shame standards have been compromised.

Our standards will never drop and despite the fact that we could make a lot more money by not having big venue costs (not to mention the additional time and expense of travel, etc) we will always train mediators face-to-face and that's why our mediators achieve the amazing results that they do!

Just take a look at this video as a very brief snapshot. How could online training ever be this much fun!!!

Let me also clarify - training as a mediator online is a lowering of standards but conducting mediations virtually can sometimes be the best option - if you want to read more on this click here.