The savings to the client consist not only of financial, but of emotional and social resources. Attorneys owe their clients a duty to consider such things in the conduct of their cases. In addition to the ethical considerations, there are several very practical elements in mediation that improve client satisfaction and client relations. These elements are worth considering. A client goes to a lawyer to find someone who knows how to get something done.
Clients are generally happiest when disputes are resolved sooner than later.
When successful, mediation resolves disputes much more quickly than will the process of litigation combined with negotiation. Savings of time generally also result in savings of money and a reduction in risk. Follow-up research indicated that the issue of which cases were tried deserved further study. The mediation process spends considerable time bringing the client along in the process of the negotiation and in evaluation and understanding of the positions and the case. As a result, following mediation there is a higher level of client understanding and agreement with the negotiated results or the failure to negotiate results.