The mediator will not reveal anything from private discussions which one side does not want revealed to the other. Thus, the mediator often will have more information and a more complete picture of the problem, than either party alone. By virtue of this unique position, the mediator can often find options for agreement which were not evident before. Also, the mediator can assess the strengths and weaknesses of each party's case and help create realistic expectations. Mediation allows the disputants to control their dispute and resolve the problems themselves, rather than having a judge or some other official decide it for them.
Mediation is also fast and economical when contrasted to adversarial process costs.
What occurs during mediation is strictly confidential. The mediator does not keep any permanent record of the meeting and will not disclose any information you provide during the mediation. Before the session begins, the mediator will explain the mediation process to you. Included in the explanation is a reminder that the mediation is a voluntary process. You may be asked to sign a statement which affirms your understanding of this and the comments made during the mediation are considered confidential.