Mediation is an effective way of resolving disputes without the need to go to court. A neutral third party – a mediator – helps both sides come to an agreement.

Mediation is a flexible process that can be used to settle disputes in a whole range of situations including:

child custody
divorce
child support
spousal support
modifications

The role of the mediator is to help parties reach a solution that is agreeable to both. Mediators remain neutral and avoid taking sides. They are responsible for developing effective communications and building consensus between the parties.

Mediation is a voluntary process and will only take place if both parties agree. In some counties, mediation is required prior to litigation. Mediation is a confidential process where the terms of discussion are not disclosed to any party outside the mediation hearing.

If parties are unable to reach agreement, they can still go to court. Details of the mediation will not be disclosed or used at a court hearing.

Central to mediation is the concept of “informed consent.” So long as participants understand the nature of a contemplated mediation process and effectively consent to participate in the described process, virtually any mediation process can be used.

Key Qualities of the Mediation Process

Voluntary – Participants can leave at any time for any reason.

Collaborative – In mediation, as no participant can compel anyone to do anything, everyone is motivated to work together to solve issues and reach beneficial agreements.

Controlled – Each participant has complete decision making power and a veto over each and every provision of any mediated agreement. Nothing can be imposed on the other party.

Confidential – Mediation is generally confidential. Mediation discussions and all materials developed for a mediation are generally not admissible in any subsequent court or other contested proceeding, except for a finalized and signed mediated agreement. The mediator is obligated to describe the extent of mediation confidentiality and exceptions to that confidentiality. The extent of confidentiality for any “caucus meetings” (meetings between the mediator and individual parties) should also be defined.

Informed – The mediation process offers a full opportunity to obtain and incorporate legal and other expert information and advice. Individual or mutually acceptable experts can be retained. Expert advice is never determinative in mediation. The participants always retain decision making power. Mediators are bound to encourage parties to obtain legal counsel and to advise them to have any mediated agreement involving legal issues reviewed by independent legal counsel prior to signing. Ultimately the decision to seek legal advice is up to each mediation participant.

Impartial, Neutral, Balanced and Safe – The mediator has an equal and balanced responsibility to assist each mediating party and cannot favor the interests of any one party over another, nor should the mediator favor a particular result in the mediation. The mediator is ethically obligated to acknowledge any substantive bias on issues in discussion. The mediator’s role is to ensure that parties reach agreements in a voluntarily and informed manner, and not as a result of coercion or intimidation.

Self-Responsible and Satisfying – Since participants have acted voluntarily in resolving issues through mediation, participant satisfaction and the likelihood of compliance are elevated compared to court cases.