GETTING TO A MIDDLE GROUND

What is Mediation and a Mediator’s Role?

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process in which the mediator-an impartial third party-facilitates discussions between the disputing parties to assist them in arriving at a mutually acceptable settlement.

Mediation helps remove some of the stress the parties feel because the process is conducted in a less formal atmosphere than the setting the litigants find themselves when facing the judge at trial.

In mediation, the parties are given more time to speak and state their respective positions than they would be allowed when facing a judge. Through continuous dialogue with the litigants, the mediator assists them in finding areas of commonality which are used by the mediator in directing the parties to develop their final agreement.