Our Methodology: How We Rank Mediation Services
At World Mediation Forum, we're committed to providing transparent, unbiased rankings of mediation services worldwide. Our methodology combines rigorous research, expert assessment, and clear evaluation criteria to help you find trusted mediators in your country.
This page explains exactly how we identify, assess, and rank the top family and civil mediation services across our 10 covered countries.
Our Independence
World Mediation Forum operates as an independent research and information platform. We do not accept payment for ranking positions. While we offer advertising opportunities on our site, these have no influence on our rankings whatsoever.
Our mission is simple: to help people find quality mediation services through honest, expert-verified research.
Why We Rank Separately: Family vs Civil Mediation
Family mediation and civil/commercial mediation require different expertise, approaches, and qualifications.
Because these fields differ so significantly, we maintain separate top 10 rankings for each category in every country we cover.
Our Research Process
1Identifying Potential Services
We begin by creating a comprehensive list of mediation services operating in each country.
Our research team examines:
- National mediation associations and regulatory bodies
- Professional mediator directories and registers
- Court-approved mediator lists
- Industry publications and legal directories
- Academic and professional research
- Government and legal sector resources
This initial research typically identifies 50-200 potential services per country, depending on the size and maturity of that country's mediation sector.
2Verification and Eligibility
Not every mediation service qualifies for ranking consideration.
To be eligible, services must:
- Operate actively in the country (not just registered there)
- Employ properly accredited mediators
- Have a verifiable track record of handling cases
- Maintain professional insurance
- Adhere to recognised codes of conduct
- Be accessible to clients (not purely in-house services)
Services that don't meet these baseline standards are excluded from further assessment.
3Detailed Assessment
Eligible services undergo evaluation across multiple criteria. Our assessment framework examines both the organisation and the individual mediators it employs.
Each service is scored across six core areas, with results compiled to create our top 10 rankings for each category in each country.
Our Assessment Criteria
We evaluate mediation services across six core areas:
1. Professional Accreditation and Qualifications
What we assess:
- Mediator training and certification levels
- Professional body memberships
- Ongoing professional development
- Specialist qualifications in family or civil mediation
- Legal or sector-specific background where relevant
Why it matters:
Proper training and accreditation ensure mediators understand mediation principles, techniques, and ethical obligations. Ongoing development shows commitment to maintaining high standards.
How we score:
Services with mediators holding advanced accreditation from recognised bodies score highest. We verify credentials against national mediation associations and regulatory bodies.
2. Experience and Track Record
What we assess:
- Years in practice
- Number and types of cases handled
- Complexity of disputes managed
- Success rates where available
- Case study evidence of effectiveness
Why it matters:
Experience matters in mediation. Mediators who've handled hundreds of cases develop skills and judgment that benefit clients. Track record demonstrates consistent performance.
How we score:
We weight both organisational history and individual mediator experience. Services with mediators averaging 5+ years and hundreds of cases score strongly.
3. Specialisation and Expertise
What we assess:
- Specific areas of mediation focus
- Sector expertise (for civil mediation)
- Cultural and linguistic capabilities
- Complex case experience
- Expert witness or advisory panel access
Why it matters:
Specialisation means mediators understand the specific issues in your type of dispute. A family mediator needs different expertise than a commercial mediator. Sector specialists bring valuable context.
How we score:
Clear specialisation and demonstrated expertise in the ranking category (family or civil) scores highly. General mediation services score lower than specialists.
4. Client Feedback and Reputation
What we assess:
- Client testimonials and reviews
- Professional references
- Industry reputation
- Complaints history
- Peer recognition and awards
Why it matters:
Client experience reveals how mediation services actually perform. Professional reputation indicates standing within the mediation community.
How we score:
We verify testimonials where possible and weight recent feedback more heavily. Consistent positive feedback across multiple sources scores best. Unresolved complaints negatively impact scores.
5. Accessibility and Service Quality
What we assess:
- Geographic coverage within the country
- Language capabilities
- Remote/online mediation options
- Accommodation for disabilities or special needs
- Response times and availability
- Fee structures and affordability
- Pro bono or reduced-fee options
Why it matters:
Excellent mediators aren't helpful if you can't access them. Services that make mediation available to diverse clients serve the public better.
How we score:
Flexible service delivery, multiple language options, accessibility provisions, and fair pricing all contribute positively. Services offering pro bono work or sliding scales score additional points.
6. Transparency and Professionalism
What we assess:
- Clear fee information
- Published processes and procedures
- Ethical standards and code adherence
- Confidentiality policies
- Complaints procedures
- Professional insurance coverage
- Data protection compliance
Why it matters:
Professional services operate transparently. Clear information about costs, processes, and rights helps clients make informed decisions and sets appropriate expectations.
How we score:
Services that publish comprehensive information, maintain clear ethical standards, and demonstrate accountability score highest.
Scoring and Ranking
Each mediation service receives scores across all six criteria. Scores are weighted as follows:
| Criteria | Weight |
|---|---|
| Professional Accreditation and Qualifications | 25% |
| Experience and Track Record | 25% |
| Specialisation and Expertise | 20% |
| Client Feedback and Reputation | 15% |
| Accessibility and Service Quality | 10% |
| Transparency and Professionalism | 5% |
These weightings reflect what matters most when choosing a mediator: their qualifications, experience, and relevant expertise.
The top 10 scoring services in each category (family mediation and civil mediation) for each country form our published rankings.
Country-Specific Considerations
Mediation operates differently across countries due to varying legal systems, cultural contexts, and regulatory frameworks.
Our methodology adapts to each country's specific context:
Research Team and Expertise
Our research is conducted by a team with relevant expertise:
This combination ensures our assessments are both technically sound and contextually appropriate.
Limitations and Disclaimers
Our rankings aim to identify leading mediation services, but have inherent limitations:
How to Use Our Rankings
Our rankings work best as a starting point for your research:
- Check our relevant country ranking for family or civil mediation depending on your needs
- Review the top-ranked services that operate in your area
- Visit their websites to learn about their specific services and approach
- Contact 2-3 services to discuss your situation and get fee quotes
- Make your decision based on your specific needs, the mediator's approach, and practical factors like location and cost
The right mediator for you depends on your specific situation, not just ranking position.
Updates and Reviews
We review and update our rankings quarterly. Between quarterly updates, we monitor for significant changes such as:
- Services ceasing operation
- Major complaints or regulatory action
- Significant awards or recognition
- Changes in accreditation status
If you notice information that appears outdated or incorrect, please contact us at hola@worldmediationforum.com.
Inclusion Requests
Mediation services can request consideration for our rankings by contacting us with:
- Service name and location
- Details of mediator qualifications and accreditations
- Experience and case history information
- Client testimonials or references
- Any relevant awards or recognition
Meeting our criteria doesn't guarantee ranking, as we only publish the top 10 services per category per country. However, we review all submissions fairly against our published methodology.
Advertising and Commercial Relationships
World Mediation Forum offers advertising opportunities to mediation services, training providers, and related businesses. These commercial relationships do not influence our rankings.
Advertisers receive no preferential treatment in our research or assessment process. Our editorial team operates independently from our commercial operations.
Questions About Our Methodology
If you have questions about how we assess mediation services or why a particular service is or isn't ranked, contact our research team at hola@worldmediationforum.com.
We're committed to transparency in our processes and welcome feedback that helps us improve our methodology.
Final Note
Our methodology aims to balance rigorous assessment with practical usefulness. We want our rankings to genuinely help people find quality mediation services while maintaining independence and credibility.
If you believe our methodology could be improved, we welcome your suggestions.