From Northern Ireland and the Middle East, to Sri Lanka and the Dayton Peace Accords for Bosnia, mediation has repeatedly proven to be the most potent, cost-effective and sensible resolution process available. Third party mediation is no less powerful for disputes in local communities, business, government and families. In addition, research has established that mediated agreements have a higher rate of future compliance, are less costly, and are felt by participants to be more satisfactory than those handled down by courts. It's never easy to explore tough issues in new ways so first time participants feel awkward as mediation begins. But they relax as the process unfolds, especially as they discover that their concerns are addressed but not argued.
Mediation is civil and business-like.
You have the right to understand the mediation process before beginning. You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. You have the right to privacy and appropriate confidentiality. You have the right to set the agenda and to discuss, or not to discuss , any concern. You have the right to know that, if either party is perceived by a mediator to be attempting to take unfair advantage of the other, the concern will be raised and that mediation may be suspended or terminated as a result.