What does mediation involve?
Mediation, which can be used as an alternative to litigation, is a confidential dispute resolution process facilitated by a mediator. Mediators are neutral persons who facilitate an interactive process to engage and assist disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques. We encourage each party to actively, and in good faith, participate in the process, which balances the needs, rights, and interests of the parties. Mediators will not determine the outcome of the case, evaluate the merit of a case, or provide legal or prescriptive advice to parties. However, mediators are trained to guide parties toward resolution of their dispute, using constructive techniques to help the parties come to a mutually agreeable solution, by actively managing the interaction and facilitating open communication between parties. Mediation allows the parties to have the final say…not the judge!