Using Shuttle Mediation to Resolve a Divorce

Whether you're in the middle of a divorce or working through an ongoing business conflict, the goal is to come out of the mediation process with a mutually agreeable resolution. In some cases, this can be difficult when emotions are high and direct communication between parties is ineffective or counterproductive. In these situations, shuttle mediation is an option that can help parties reach a resolution without having to go through the expense and publicity of litigation.

Shuttle mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where the disputing parties are placed in separate rooms while the mediator moves back and forth between them, conveying proposals and counterproposals to resolve their issues. It is often used when there are very high emotions, a power imbalance or a history of hostility and violence between the parties, making it unproductive to have them all in one room together.

This method also can be beneficial if participants have safety concerns that prevent them from attending mediation in person, such as domestic violence or IPV. In this scenario, a videoconferencing session with a highly trained mediator can be just as effective at resolving a conflict. Often, shuttle mediation is combined with other forms of ADR such as joint meetings, phone conferences and/or caucusing in order to provide a full range of options for the parties to choose from.

The advantage of shuttle mediation is that it can help reduce the stress and tension between the spouses by allowing them to express their needs, interests and goals without being confronted directly by their opponents. Additionally, the mediator can assist in the mediation process by paraphrasing and summarising information to ensure that both parties are accurately communicating their perspective and receptive to the other party's viewpoint.

A common misconception is that shuttle mediation is ineffective because the participants don't have a chance to hear each other speak. However, if you're in the midst of a particularly intense divorce or working through a highly polarising business conflict, having multiple shuttle sessions spread out over time can be more productive than meeting in a single session with both spouses present.

It can be hard to overcome emotional baggage and personal animosity during a divorce, but successful mediations do come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, the most successful divorces often have some form of shuttle diplomacy because it allows them to discover their interests and work towards a compromise that a court would likely approve. If you're considering a divorce or are involved in a business dispute, contact us to discuss your mediation options and how shuttle diplomacy could help you. We have a team of experienced and qualified mediators that can facilitate your mediation from start to finish. We pride ourselves on offering flexible, responsive and bespoke services to meet the needs of each of our clients. Contact us today to get started!