Ethics

We strive to attain the highest possible ethical standards.

All mediators associating with Mututal Contentment must commit to the European Code Of Conduct For Mediators and strive to exceed it.

Our mediators also hold other professional memberships requiring them to abide by additional codes of conduct and professional ethics. Examples include:

Bar Standards Board Handbook and Code of Conduct for barristers

Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors’ Code Of Conduct

Chartered Institute of Public Relations Code of Conduct

Although our mediators each have their own moral codes and values, we share some ethical positions. 

We try to avoid arrogance and supercilliousness. It is rarely a facilitative mediator’s role to judge or impose their own values on a dispute.

We strive to act with efficiency, sensitivity, equality, honesty and integrity.

We value and defend confidentiality.

We recognise the potential for human fallability in ourselves as well as others. We operate a complaints procedure for that very purpose.

There is no place for bias in a mediator, whether conscious or unconscious. Before every mediation, our mediators assess their own experiences, circumstances and values to ensure they can avoid bias, maintain their independence, impartiality and integrity. If they shouldn’t act, they will withdraw and offer another mediator to act in the matter.

Our mediators regularly undertake continuous professional development.

Our power to terminate a mediation is a burden which we shall nonetheless execute if it becomes clear that a mediation process is tainted by unfairness, immorality, illegality or a breach of applicable professional standards.

For mediation to be successful all participants must act in good faith. This includes:

• being constructive to help to find a resolution of this dispute;
• being open and honest in communications;
• listening and considering what other participants have to say.