Fees

Simple terms, stated before any commitment: the financial framework of the mediation is set out at the first meeting, clearly, so that cost never becomes one more dispute.

How fees are set

Fees are based on the time devoted to the process, at an hourly rate communicated at the first meeting. The rate reflects the nature of the dispute, the number of parties, the complexity of the situation and the setting (private, inheritance, professional or cross-border).

No fee is tied to the outcome: the mediator is paid for the process they conduct, never for the result, which safeguards their impartiality.

What the fees cover

• Preparing and conducting the sessions
• Necessary exchanges between sessions (coordination, e-mails, brief calls)
• Separate meetings where the process requires them
• Drafting the summary document or agreement in principle

How costs are shared

Unless agreed otherwise, fees are shared equally between the parties: each contributes to the process, which supports everyone's commitment. Other arrangements remain possible when discussed openly at the outset. In a professional setting, the company or organisation often covers the whole cost.

A measured investment

Mediation generally runs over a few sessions, on a timetable the parties control. By comparison, court proceedings often stretch over several years, with legal and court costs that are hard to predict, not to mention the relational toll. Mediation does not guarantee an agreement, but its financial framework remains legible from start to finish.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays for the mediation?

Unless the parties agree otherwise, fees are usually shared equally. In a professional setting, the company or organisation often covers the whole cost.

Is the first meeting charged?

The first conversation is brief, confidential and without commitment: it serves to check whether mediation suits your situation and to give you a clear estimate before any decision.

What overall budget should we expect?

The total cost depends on the number of sessions, which reflects the complexity of the situation and the pace chosen by the parties. Most mediations run over a few sessions; the estimate given at the first meeting is updated if the scope changes.