1 The mediator's role in family conflicts
During divorce, parental separation or an inheritance dispute, going directly to court frequently triggers a destructive and costly escalation of legal proceedings. Holding a state diploma in family mediation, this professional is neither a judge who rules, a lawyer who defends one side, nor a couples therapist, but a neutral, impartial facilitator of negotiation.
2 Principled negotiation: the Harvard method
Mediation consists of three to six principled negotiation meetings. The mediator helps parties distinguish rigid positions of principle, such as 'I refuse to let him take the children', from the underlying interests, such as fear of financial hardship or the need for emotional security for the child. By restoring respectful communication, the mediator enables former partners to jointly develop practical parenting arrangements.
3 Lasting written agreements that can receive court approval
Family mediation leads to an amicable parenting agreement governing alternating residence, school holiday schedules, financial contributions and educational or religious choices. Freely signed by both parents, it can be approved by the family court judge, securing lasting social peace and protecting children from the suffering of parental conflict over time.
4 The legal value of an amicable agreement and protection of children
An agreement resulting from successful family mediation has far greater lasting force than an imposed adversarial judgement because the parents have freely consented to it. By avoiding the trauma of battles between lawyers, mediation preserves children's image of both mother and father, an essential condition for harmonious psychological development.