What is Mediation?
Mediation is a quick, inexpensive way for people to work out their differences with a neutral party, called a Mediator, while addressing everyone’s needs and interests. Decisions reached in mediation are created by the people who are in conflict, not by a judge.
Source: Mediation
Topics that are right for Mediation
Mediation is different because it:
- encourages direct communication between the parties
- helps people decide for themselves
- allows for the expression of emotions
- defuses anger
- explores creative means of solving problems
- promotes cooperation
- preserves the strengths of an ongoing relationship
- helps people accept the consequences of their own decisions and
- develops a model for resolution of future conflicts
Source: Mediation
What does a Mediator do?
A Mediator is a neutral person who helps others come to an agreement or resolve conflict.
Mediators are like "facilitators" who help the participants in a mediation explore a problem and find ways to resolve a dispute.
Mediators are not like Judges in a courtroom. The Mediator does not decide who is right or wrong, nor does a Mediator give legal advice like an attorney would.
An Example of Mediation
Amanda is a single mom raising two kids in grade school. She’s got a lot on her plate with a stressful job in order to keep food on her family’s plates. Each day is a shuffle from the house to the car in order to get the kids to school on time and then for Amanda to get to her job. Their morning routine can be chaotic and there’s often some raised voices and some car doors opening and closing.
The next door neighbor is John, a widower who is retired and is not seen outside his house much. He’s called the police on several occasions complaining about Amanda and her kids disturbing the peace.
When the police would arrive, John would only talk to the officer from inside his door and it would take a while to sort out, but she and the kids were made late and that aggravated Amanda a lot.