Lawyer & Mediator — Pretender

Missions

1. A neutral start

   At the fictional Vale Novo community garden, two neighbours, Ana and Bruno, disagree about a shared vegetable patch. They've agreed to meet with a mediator.

   Decisions · ~4 min

2. Facts, feelings and needs

   Ana and Bruno have each spoken. You wrote down what they said. Now you sort it so they can see the problem more clearly.

   Sort into groups · ~3 min

3. Check the written agreement

   Ana and Bruno found a solution! Your assistant drafted the agreement. Before they sign, you check it is clear, fair and something they can actually do.

   Spot the issues · ~4 min

4. Coach an “I-message”

   In a fictional school mediation, Inês is upset because her friend Rui shared her secret in the group chat. You help her say how she feels without attacking him.

   Write a message · ~3 min

5. Plan the mediation session

   Two fictional business partners who run a café together are arguing about money and hours. You have a 2-hour session: 10 blocks of time to plan.

   Share a budget · ~4 min

6. The noisy neighbours

   Two fictional neighbours are in conflict: one practises drums in the evening, the other works early shifts. They agree to try mediation. Put the stages of the session in order.

   Put in order · ~3 min

What they do

Lawyers explain rules and rights and help people present their side. Mediators help two sides listen to each other and find an agreement they both accept. Both read carefully, separate facts from feelings, stay neutral when needed and keep information confidential.

Skills

• Fairness — Applying rules the same way for everyone.
• Active listening — Listening to understand, not just to reply.
• Communication — Saying things clearly and kindly.

Typical tasks

• Listen to both sides
• Read a rule and explain it simply
• Write down an agreement

Tools

• Rulebooks and contracts
• Meeting notes
• Neutral meeting room

Responsibilities

• Keep conversations confidential
• Treat both sides with respect

Myth or reality?

Myth: Lawyers spend all day shouting in court.
Reality: Most work is reading, writing and helping people reach agreements without a trial.

Myth: A mediator decides who is right.
Reality: A mediator stays neutral; the two sides build the solution themselves.

Explore next

• School Psychologist — Help a school community learn and feel well.
• Journalist & Fact-checker — Find the facts, check them and tell the story fairly.
• Project Manager — Lead a team from idea to finished project.

Related careers

• Judge
• Paralegal
• School peer mediator

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