Mediation is the process during which an impartial, neutral person, the mediator, facilitates communication between the parties in a dispute to assist reconciliation, settlement, or understanding among them.

Mediation:

• Involves the individuals in the process.
• Deals with feelings and issues.
• Is based on fairness.
• Is less expensive than litigation.
• Is less traumatic than a jury trial.
• Is expedient.
• Is completely confidential.

The mediator may suggest ways of resolving the dispute but may not impose his or her own judgment on the issues or on either of the parties.

In mediation, both parties have the opportunity to explain and discuss their respective sides of the dispute and to pursue options which may lead to an agreeable settlement for their dispute.

If the parties cannot reach a settle, they still have the option of employing every available legal remedy.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIATION

Mediation and Conciliation differ from all the ADR procedures in that the mediator does not render his/her opinion or impose any judgments regarding the merits of either party's respective case and does not make any decisions regarding the outcome, settlement or award(s) to be granted.

Mediation does not assure agreement, but rather assures only a process that has been proven to lead to effective and highly enforceable agreements.

Mediation requires that the parties are willing to discuss their dispute openly and honestly and that they commit themselves to the process, and to good faith negotiation according to the rules of the process.

Mediation is intended to :

1) Produce the most favorable result for all parties concerned in the shortest possible time.
2) With the least possible expenses to the parties and
3) With a minimum amount of stress and trauma to the parties involved.