question mark

Online, in-person or hybrid mediations – which is best?

“I see you offer both online mediations (ODR), in-person mediations and hybrid ones (i.e. initial private sessions online and then main meetings in person). Which would you recommend as being best?”

It depends very much on your circumstances. ODR has the advantage of not needing to find, book and pay for venues. It is therefore cheaper and faster. In my experience it is also useful where it is necessary to exchange delicate personal information, because there is more distance between you and the other participant. People who, for their comfort, want to build in an ability to walk out fast, have the further comfort in ODR that there is no walking to do when clicking the Exit button.

Hybrids are very useful when everything is arranged and there is a last minute travel problem such as a train strike.

What’s not to like about ODR? It is not ideal that you cannot see who else might be on the other end of the line, beyond the view of camera, so there is less assurance of confidentiality. Walk-outs can happen by accident when, in a momentary loss of temper, someone logs off (often instantly regretting it, as venturing back is embarrassing). Focus is easier to lose. People are more tempted to glance at phone screens when the other side cannot see them. And the valuable non-verbal language everyone uses when face to face is dulled or misunderstood when on camera (both of these are hazards). The superior method without doubt is to mediate in person, but ODR is far superior to basic negotiation or not meeting at all.

Scroll to Top