DRS mediators are not judges. DRS mediators do not make decisions for the parties. No DRS mediator can or will attempt to force you to accept a settlement. If the parties to a mediation cannot agree on a settlement of any issues, the mediator will, after exploring all reasonable avenues of reaching an agreement, simply declare an impasse. If the mediation is court-ordered, the mediator will report to the court only that the parties were not able to settle.
Mediation is confidential.
If you appear at the correct time and place for your mediation and with authority to settle the case, but then do not settle, the DRS mediator's report to the court will state only that you appeared, but that the parties were not able to reach any agreement. All DRS mediators are certified by the Supreme Court of the State of Florida. The agency which directly regulates certified mediators in Florida is the Dispute Resolution Center in Tallahassee. DRS mediators may be from any of the professions which are eligible for certification including attorneys, accountants, social workers, counselors, psychologists. Thus, the backgrounds of mediators are quite varied.