The title "nationally accredited mediator" describes a recognised professional standard, but it says little about the work itself. This is what the role involves in practice.
What accreditation means
National accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) means a mediator has completed recognised training, met an assessed standard of competence, and agreed to be bound by professional and ethical obligations. I am also a professional member of the Resolution Institute. Together, these offer a measure of assurance that the person conducting your mediation is qualified to do so and is accountable for how they practise.
The role in practice
Accreditation sets the standard; the substance of the work is what happens in the room. A mediator's role is to remain impartial and to be of genuine assistance to both parties at once. That neutrality is central: I do not judge, I do not advise one party against the other, and I do not impose an outcome. In practical terms, the work involves:
- Establishing an environment in which both parties can speak openly and safely
- Understanding each party and adapting the process to suit them
- Keeping a difficult conversation constructive and on course
- Ensuring both parties are heard fairly and in full
- Maintaining focus on a workable, durable outcome
The value of a legal background
Two decades in criminal law inform how I approach this work. That experience developed the ability to read a situation and adapt to the people in it, often in demanding circumstances, which is the capability that matters most in mediation. It also means I understand the legal context many clients are navigating, and can work alongside their legal representatives with a clear sense of how the two processes fit together.
Working directly with the mediator
At Phelps Mediation, every matter is conducted by me personally. There are no support staff or junior facilitators. The parties and their legal representatives deal with me directly, which means I hold a detailed understanding of each matter from beginning to end.