Dealing with Trust Issues in Mediations

Lack of trust between the parties is one of the most difficult problems of mediation. Distrust may be manifested in several ways, including a belief that the other party is not negotiating in good faith or that the other party will not honor the terms of a mediated agreement. When there is distrust between the parties, it is much more difficult for them to find a win-win resolution.

For the mediator, trust issues can pose several difficult challenges, including:

• Recognizing distrust between the parties and gauging its impact their ability to reach an agreement
• Finding ways to mitigate the impact of distrust
  
• Respecting the self-determination of the parties: When is it appropriate or inappropriate for the mediator to attempt to mitigate the impact of distrust?
  

Our meeting on March 2 will comprise a short introduction to the topic followed by a structured discussion of how attendees have addressed trust issues. Please come prepared to offer any insights you may have.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 am for networking and the one-hour presentation will begin at 12:00. One (1.0) hour of CE credit is available to attendees.

This event is free of charge to all interested people, with a light lunch provided. For non-AAM members, a $5 donation for lunch is requested.

We look forward to seeing you there!