Why choose mediation?
Choose mediation when you want to consider all the disputed issues, develop options to resolve each issue, and with the other participant(s), decide on an outcome. Mediation lets participants make agreements to meet the needs and concerns that are important to them. Mediation discussions and outcomes are confidential. Agreements can be legally binding depending on what the matter is and what the participants decide.
Mediation is an informal, fast, and effective process. Mediation can be used to resolve a wide range of disputes including business, commercial, family, workplace, compensation, insurance, construction, and community.
A mediator helps participants focus on the issues and keeps communication going to reach an outcome. A mediator usually sets guidelines or ground-rules to help guide the process, assists the discussion so it is fair and manages the interactions, so they are respectful.
A mediator does not give advice or an opinion, unless the participants request it as part of the agreement with the mediator. A mediator does not make a decision, it is the participants who decide the outcome.
Mediation can be voluntary, court ordered or agreed upon in a contract.