At the mediation session all parties present a summary of their points of view. Attorneys for the parties may be present. Typically, the mediator will then meet privately (caucus) with each party to explore more fully the facts and issues of each side. The caucus is confidential and offers participants the opportunity to vent anger or frustrations outside the presence of the opposing side. The mediator will usually continue to caucus alternatively with each party, carrying settlement proposals back and forth until an agreement is reached. The agreement is then reduced to writing, and signed by the parties.
