Mediation is impartial. Mediators are trained not to take sides in the disputes. Mediation helps parties to reach their own agreements. Mediators do not judge guilt or innocence, nor do they decide how a dispute should be settled. Mediators are there only to guide the process and help the disputants reach their own solution.
Mediation is forward-looking.
It is most successful when a continuing relationship is important to the disputing parties. Mediation can work for all kinds of disagreements. This includes roommate issues, financial disputes, organizational conflict, and friendship tensions. Mediation is not a magical cure for every problem. Mediators help guide the parties through the problem-solving process, but can only work if both parties want to reach a solution.