Mediation is a process of resolving disputed issues without going to court.
Rather than going to court, the parties agree to go to a mediator who is trained to work with the parties to help them reach an agreement on the disputed issues. Depending upon the number of disputed issues and the willingness of the parties to compromise their differences, mediation can be as short as one or two sessions or may take a number of sessions lasting a month or more. An experienced mediator can usuall y tell after one or two sessions whether there is a reasonable likelihood of resolving all or some of the issues. As a general rule, the parties meet with the mediator without the lawyers being present. Mediation is not the same as binding arbitration.