mediation - please share your experiences

[mmrred]

Has anyone had any experience of mediation at all? What was it like and was there anything that would have made it more successful?

DH is going to try it with his ex and we'd really like to avoid court, so any tips gratefully listened to.

The woman we went to see was very fair but I felt that my EA ex had got in there first so to speak and prepped her to be on his side iykwim.
You each have a session alone first then go in together and they mediate.
But ex changed our appointments and I had to explain what he could be like but I felt she didn't believe me and thought I was what he had told her
But I did get fair financial settlement though so that was okay.

In my opinion it is a great way of ensuring each has an opportunity to have their say in a calm and controlled environment. However, it will only be helpful if either party is prepared to listen. Unfortunately, this is the case with my ex - so it was a waste of time for us.