Intensive mediation: resolving conflicts in a concentrated format, in one day or over a weekend

Who intensive mediation suits

Family businesses and shareholders. The shareholders have to decide something (succession, exit, roles), and finding one date for everyone is hard. A joint day with a clear goal achieves more than countless meetings and phone calls.

Teams and organisations. A conflict blocks the collaboration, and every week without clarification costs. A continuous block with preparatory talks is often more effective than a series of short sessions. More on the page Team Mediation Munich (EN).

Families with long distances. If siblings, parents or a separated couple live in different places, the meeting itself is the biggest hurdle. On request I also offer intensive formats for families in the Venice and London areas, where I have family ties.

Couples and parents under time pressure. For example before a move, a court date or a decision about the children’s care. A concentrated weekend can be a good start, but only if the preparation is right.

When intensive mediation is not the right format

• If violence, threats or abuse are involved. Protection comes first.
• If not everyone takes part voluntarily.
• If the conflict has escalated so far that the parties can hardly speak to each other. A single long day is then too much at once. We work better in several shorter sessions with individual talks. Intensive does not mean rushed.
• If the actual problem has not yet been named. First we clarify what it is about.

Whether an intensive format suits you, we clarify in the free initial call.

How an intensive mediation works

1. Initial call and clarification of the assignment (30 minutes, free). We clarify what it is about, who is involved, what is to be decided by when, and whether the format fits.
2. Preparatory talks. I speak with everyone individually, by phone or video. We talk about their view, their concerns and their worries. What stays confidential and what I may bring into the joint round, we agree explicitly in every conversation. This preparation is why the joint session can then work in a focused way.
3. Planning. We set the place, time, participants and schedule. If needed, a second professional joins (co-mediation), for example from a legal or tax background.
4. The joint session. Half a day, a full day or a weekend, strongly structured. First we clarify what it is about and what each side needs, then we collect ideas for solutions and test them. Breaks are part of it: often the essential things happen in them.
5. Written agreement. Your results are put in writing on the day. Where legal or tax consequences arise, a lawyer, notary or tax adviser reviews the agreement before it is signed.
6. Follow-up appointment. A few weeks later we talk about whether the agreement works in everyday life, and adjust.

Places and formats

• Duration: half-day, full-day or a weekend, depending on the topic and the number of participants.
• Place: in my rooms in Munich (Maximiliansplatz) or Bruckmühl, at your premises (company, farm) or at a neutral place. Preparatory talks and the follow-up appointment are also possible online; the joint session takes place in person. A weekend at a neutral place can help if the usual surroundings are a burden.
• Region: family businesses and organisations across Germany; families in the Munich and Rosenheim area and, on request, in the Venice and London areas.

What does intensive mediation cost?

Fees are charged by the hour: for families €150 plus 19 % VAT per hour, for family businesses, teams and organisations €180 plus VAT per hour. The initial call (30 minutes) is free. Preparatory talks and the follow-up appointment are also charged by time.

Example calculation (assumption): A full day with six hours of joint work costs €900 plus VAT (€1,071 including VAT) for families and €1,080 plus VAT (€1,285.20 including VAT) for family businesses and teams, plus the time for preparatory talks and follow-up. Travel and accommodation costs for appointments away from Munich are agreed in advance. If several parties take part, the costs are shared as you agree among yourselves.

Frequently asked questions

How does it differ from ordinary mediation?

The process is the same, but bundled: one continuous session instead of many short ones, with more preparation beforehand.

Isn’t one day too short for a big conflict?

For conflicts that have grown over a long time, often yes. That is why there are the preparatory talks and the follow-up appointment, and if needed several intensive sessions are scheduled one after another. One day is the beginning, not always the end.

Who has to be there?

Everyone who decides or has to support the decision. Anyone who is missing can block the result later. We clarify this in the preparation.

Do we have to stay overnight?

Not necessarily. For a weekend with a long journey, a place with accommodation is a good idea. We plan this together.

Is everything treated confidentially?

Yes. Mediation is confidential. What I may pass on from the preparatory talks is decided by the participants themselves.

Is it also available in English?

Yes. Mediation is possible in English and in German.

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