It is entirely voluntary. The Mediator does not decide the dispute or tell the parties what to do, but helps the parties to reach an agreement. Before a case goes to hearing, the Tribunal holds a number of meetings between the parties - called conferences. If parties agree, one conference can be a mediation.
Mediation is aimed at an inexpensive, efficient and speedy settlement of the case.
They are Members or Registrars of the Tribunal who have been formally trained in the techniques of mediation. If a case does not settle at a mediation, any Member who acted as mediator will NOT be involved in hearing the case. No, but certain types of disputes are more suitable for mediation than others. You can get advice from the Tribunal office about whether your dispute is in that category. Remember, mediation is a voluntary process which will only be arranged where all parties have agreed to join in.