Frequently Asked Questions

• Mediation is more economical;
• Mediation is less stressful; and
• Mediation resolves your case faster.

Mediation is an informal and often voluntary process that allows you to make meaningful choices that can move your case to resolution. The Mediator’s role is help the parties identify the issues and common interests to facilitate communication exchanges to assist parties in reaching a resolution!

• Mediation, for litigated civil cases in all Circuit / County Court throughout Florida;
• Arbitration proceedings, by a Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator;
• Pre-suit mediation, and Galaxy offers an NOI mediation for insurance claim disputes; and
• Virtual mediation conferences and in-person mediation

Note: While we primarily offer virtual mediation conferences with Zoom, which provides a secure and efficient virtual mediation experience, we do offer in-person mediation services throughout Florida. For in-person mediations, there is a travel cost over twenty (20) miles and the parties must share the expense of securing the meeting facility.

• Virtual Mediation is very secure, the most economical, and allows for easy participation by attendees.
• The security and confidentiality of mediation is a priority of Galaxy. We primarily utilize the Zoom platform and its settings and controls to ensure participants are granted confidential ‘rooms’ in which they can privately hold discussions with counsel or the mediator; and that they have ability to share or present relevant documents if needed in mediation conference. [But we can use Microsoft Teams or a conference platform the parties may choose, if we have timely notice of the necessary accommodation.]

• Connecting to or participating in virtual mediation is often much easier than people expect, because our team provides an email communication before the mediation with a “clickable link” (can see when you open the email from Galaxy Mediations) that the recipient can just “click on” and you will be admitted to the virtual mediation conference via your computer, your tablet, or smartphone. But if for any reason you do not connect, the same email sent from Galaxy to you will have a telephone number you can use to connect to the virtual mediation conference, though it will not enable your camera for a visual appearance.
• Sharing documents or media in mediation is not difficult, as long as you have the documents on the device used to participate in the virtual mediation. Galaxy does allow for “screen sharing” of documents and photographs during mediation, with permission of the mediator. And we understand not everyone has a comfort level with these technical tools in a virtual mediation conference, so Galaxy’s IT can offer the services of a Virtual Assistant during mediation for assistance in that task, but we must have prior notice to ensure an IT assistant is prepared to assist in the conference.
• Technical or connection issues can also arise that are unexpected, or beyond what the mediator can assist with. If such issues arise in advance of the conference, please call our office at (728) 900-4896 and our support team will assist.

• It is important to prepare for your mediation session by being fully informed of the claims and defenses in the case; and having all information necessary to facilitate settlement. But it is most important that the parties have case resolution as a goal of mediation!
• It is also important to come to the mediation with an open mind, and a willingness to listen to the opposing side. And though it is not required, it is helpful to have completed any discovery that your counsel believes is necessary before mediation.
• It can be helpful to the mediator to receive a summary of the prior to the mediation that fairly summarizes the primary claims and defenses in the litigation, and the parties’ perspective on those issues.

• It is common in Florida to have mediations where one party may have a native tongue or language other than English. In such cases, a certified interpreter in that language may be used, unless the parties all agree that a family member or someone close to the party can translate what is being said to the party. What is most important is that all relevant statements are translated so the party can effectively exercise the right of self-determination in deciding how to respond to offers or demands.  defenses in the case; and having all information necessary to facilitate settlement.  Generally, however, Galaxy does not conduct mediation or arbitration conferences in a language other than English.