good evening to everyone present here , i hope that you all are healthy and safe.

Its 4
pm and i and my co mediator are here as mediator for the day appointed by the court
firstly , so thank you to my co mediator for introducing and giving such a brilliant
outline of the way mediation works, As said by my co mediator , we will be playing the
role of mediator and that role will be only to guide you through the process and to
facilitate the conversation. firstly at the onset i would like to extend my heartiest
congratulations to both the parties for agreeing for this alternative mechanism of very
mediation in online format and understanding the importance and urgency for conflict
resolution in these stressing and turbulent times. I hope that this session turned out
to be productive one and party reach a consensus that is mutually beneficial for both
the respective parties.
To summarise what my co-mediator said mediation is a method of conversation to
have a meaningful discussion. So, the role by the mediator is just an independent and
impartial person who will be the facilitator of the conversation. So, it’s you the parties
who shall decide the matter in a free willing manner. So, our sole responsibility and
point of interruption in the discussion will be just that the party’s discussion should be
towards settlement. I want both the parties to trust both the mediators and the
process of mediation.
So, to summarise the ground rules. 1st of all its about confidentiality which is to say
anything which any of the party disclose in this session shall be not disclosed to any
third party.
Both of us as mediator and co mediator will not be representing the parties in any
court of law nor we can be called as an evidence. All the party will have equal standing
in the matter so basically all the participants will be given equal opportunity to
represent themselves. And finally, the voluntariness the parties are free will to decide
whether to stay in the session or not to continue to negotiate in the mediation.
one of the main thing is neutrality, me and my mediator are completely neutral
persons here, we do not have any preconised bias to either the party and we are here
to look for what is best for both the party and to guide the conversation.
Any party anytime may ask for a private session or even if they want to choose not to
continue with the mediation.
The structure of the mediation process is like:
1st we will have the introduction and the opening statements of both parties. Then we
will set agendas for today’s mediation. After that we will go for the joint session, then
whenever if we the mediator or any of the parties feel like the session is lagging or we
are getting imperial and reaching impasses anyone can call for a private session or a
caucus where both parties can have a one and one session with us as mediator. So
now I will explain you the ground rules of the mediation.
•Ordinarily, the parties/ counsel may address only the mediator
•While one person is speaking, others may refrain from interrupting
•Language used may always be polite and respectful
•Mutual respect and respect for the process may be maintained
•Mobile phones may be switched off
As this is an online session it is very possible the things can get a little murky and we
can talk each other I request both the clients and their counsel to keep their video on
all time and keep yourselves muted. If you feel you have something to add on please
right it on the chat box or you can just raise your hand so that us a mediator can bring
you up in the conversation.
•Adequate opportunity may be given to all parties to present their views Finally, the
mediator shall confirm that the parties have understood the mediation process and
the ground rules and shall give them an opportunity to get their doubts if any, clarified.
There is just one last thing which i would like to add everything said here is without
prejudice what this means is that you can put ideas on the table , you can throw thing
around you in a way that you can work together remembering we have no agreement
until we agree on everything so please feel free to use the time and explore any idea
that you have term of settling between you and be sure that they can't bind you in
future because this is a non binding process.so if it is that’s it so I will request team A
to please give their opening statement.