The conference will be conducted by an experienced family dispute resolution practitioner (also called a mediator). All the parties will have an opportunity to talk about the issues that are important to them. The mediator will:

• ask each party what they want to happen and why
• help everyone to listen and talk to each other to try to reach an agreement that can be turned into court orders
• ask the lawyer to write up an agreement reached as either orders or a parenting plan.

During the conference, each party will have an opportunity to have time alone with the mediator. What is said in that private meeting will not be shared with the other parties unless the party agrees it can be shared.