National Model Standards. The parties decide when and under what conditions they will reach an agreement or terminate a mediation. Mediation means a process in which a neutral person or persons facilitate communication between the disputants to assist them in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. An apparent consent is not real or free when obtained through duress, menace, fraud, undue influence, or mistake. Free Choice of Neutrals.
Mediators help people agree to settle disputes on their own terms.
They do not write findings deciding who is wrong, like arbitrators. People with disputes have the right to jointly select any neutral person or organization to mediate for them. No specific degree or license should be either required or barred, for a person to serve as a mediator. National Model Standards. Any person may be selected as a mediator, provided that the parties are satisfied with the mediator's qualifications.