There are mediators who conduct their conversations online. So I won’t claim that it can’t be done. I just don’t do it. The introductory meeting can be an exception to this. The introductions are brief, and there isn’t yet a substantive discussion that follows. Of course, during the Corona times, we learned that a lot can be done online, but a screen is simply no substitute for face-to-face interaction.

Additionally, I have my own consultation room, which is inherently neutral ground. You can even park for free. So my method is simply to meet together at the table.

The mediation discussions can take place at home or at the office, but I prefer to hold the meetings in my own consulting room. Firstly, this allows the parties to be on “neutral ground.” Additionally, the space offers privacy, ambiance, and a practical layout that facilitates effective conversations.

If it is not possible to come to my office, customized arrangements are always possible. I occasionally use spaces from Het Coachhuis. With dozens of locations across the country, they have facilities that are very suitable for mediation.

A mediator has a different perspective than a lawyer. In a lawyer’s approach, the legal positions of the parties are central, even when the lawyer represents both parties. In contrast, a mediator focuses on the individuals involved and promotes their self-determination. This leads to a fundamentally different approach to the divorce process. It’s not that the mediator can ignore the legal reality; on the contrary, they can help find acceptable solutions for conflicts for both parties. A mediator does this by encouraging the parties to focus on what binds them and on their underlying interests. This is where the approach of the lawyer differs from that of the mediator. The goal is to achieve fair and sustainable solutions.

In a divorce, a lawyer always comes into play eventually. A lawyer is the only party that can file the necessary documents with the court. In my practice, I prepare all official documents. I mainly collaborate with Mr. Dennis Coppens from Quest Advocaten in Amsterdam. He performs a “double-check” before the documents are submitted to the court, ensuring extra quality assurance.

No. Working on a fixed-price basis is sometimes done in the mediation field, but it usually involves conflicts with a relatively clear picture for the mediator. In practice, that is often different. Therefore, I have chosen not to do this. I want the service to always be optimal and to take as much time as necessary for your unique situation—no more and no less.

Working on a no-cure-no-pay basis is not allowed under the MfN Regulations. This makes sense, as a mediator must remain neutral and has no interest in the outcome of the mediation.

DKM Mediation, like any organization, is bound by the regulations set out in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We only retain the data that we need for our business operations. You can find the details of this in DKM Mediation’s privacy statement.