Topic: Mediation & Consultation Skills                    Facilitator: Ms. Robina Shaheen

Date:   7^th& 8^th December-2018                                  Venue: AGHS-Legal Aid Cell

This lecture as it dealt with the techniques and skills of paralegals in playing a constructive role in solving and guiding people who are in midst of a quarrel or on the verge of entering a legal battle. Ms. Robina Shaheen discussed the nuances of the process of mediation and considerations involved in the role of a mediator. The trainees were briefed that the main principles of the mediation are voluntariness and confidentiality. The place of mediation and consultation should be safe and agreed to by all concerned parties. The first step in the pursuit of reconciliation is to talk to the involved parties individually and eventually, bring them to talk to each other. The mediator should start the session with encouragement and positive words to give both parties time to initiate the dialogue.The facilitator also explained that mediation does not entail immediate solutions to the disputes; it might take months and numerous sessions for all parties to agree and sign a reconciliation document which outlines their points of agreement.

Ms. Rubina highlighted the importance of the aforementioned mediation and consultation techniques in in solving matters out of court, with less expenditures and a decrease in adversity between the parties. This session also involved a group activity in which the trainees made a presentation on an incident from their lives and shared their experience of mediation and consultation on it.