About the webinar

How you begin a mediation can make or break the process. For many new mediators, the period before parties sit at the table feels like uncharted territory. How do you handle that first phone call? What information do you need—and what do your clients need from you? How can you set up the process so everyone arrives ready to engage constructively?

In this on-demand webinar, experienced mediator and trainer Bianca Keys shares her insights into the pre-mediation phase—the often-overlooked but crucial work mediators do to prepare themselves and their clients for success.

Key learning outcomes are understanding:

How to respond confidently when a mediation referral comes in—including the key questions to ask and information to provide.


Strategies for managing parties’ expectations and reducing anxiety before the mediation day.


The role of preliminary (intake) meetings in building rapport, assessing suitability, and preparing parties for constructive dialogue.


Practical tips for designing templates and processes to streamline your pre-mediation work.


How to spot potential challenges early and make adjustments to the process to ensure safety and fairness.


Whether you’re just starting out or refining your practice, this webinar offers a practical “buffet” of ideas you can adapt to your context. Bianca’s approach is thoughtful, accessible, and grounded in real-world experience.

About your trainer

Bianca Keys is a highly experienced mediator, educator, and conflict management coach. Bianca has a legal background but has worked exclusively as an ADR practitioner since 2004. She specialises in commercial, workplace, health care and personal injury disputes and holds current mediator and conciliator appointments with a number of State, Federal, and Industry Panels, Commissions, and Ombudsman services. Bianca served on the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) between 2014-2022 and was Chair of the Board from 2019-2021. She is particularly passionate about supporting a next generation of highly capable mediation professionals via training, supervision and mentoring in Australia and overseas.

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