Online Mediation: Back of the Net or Over the Crossbar?

At this year's Mediation Conference 2026, our founder Stuart Lawrence took to the stage to tackle one of the biggest questions in dispute resolution today: is online mediation actually the right choice, or just the easy one?

Themed around the World Cup, Stuart's talk challenged the audience to rethink the online-versus-in-person debate entirely. Rather than picking a side, he argued that the best mediators, like the best football managers, don't stick to one formation. They read the game in front of them and adapt.

Drawing on real cases from Mediator Locator's own panel, including a 25-tenant housing dispute resolved entirely online, a workplace relationship rebuilt through in-person mediation, and an elderly couple supported through a hybrid setup at their solicitors' offices, Stuart shared why the right process depends entirely on the dispute, the people, and what's really at stake.

He also touched on where AI fits into modern mediation prep, why neurodiversity awareness is changing how mediators work, and the practical reasons proportionality still matters when choosing a format.

Watch the full talk below, recorded live at Mediation Conference 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD6v5QX3cgA&feature=youtu.be

If you'd like to talk to us about finding the right mediator — and the right format — for your dispute, get in touch with our team.