Although the practice of holding pre-mediation meetings or preliminary conferences is relatively new, researchers are finding that both the likelihood of resolution and satisfaction are significantly increased in those disputes where preliminary conferences are held. From the perspective of disputants, preliminary conferences provide opportunities to reduce disputant trepidation by meeting the mediator, learning about the process and understanding what their role will be.

This chapter describes preliminary conferences and reviews the purposes for holding them. The Preliminary Conference checklist raises issues to consider when planning the conference.