Comprehensive and Customized Agreements Mediated settlements are able to address both legal and non-legal issues. Mediated agreements often cover procedural and psychological issues that are not covered by the law. Greater Degree of Control and Predictability of Outcome Parties who negotiate their own settlements have more control over the outcome of their dispute. Personal Empowerment Mediation negotiations can provide a forum for learning about and exercising personal power or influence. Many disputes occur in the context of relationships that will continue over future years.
Mediation can also make the termination of a relationship more amicable.
Workable and Implementable Decisions Mediated agreements can include specially tailored procedures for how the decisions will be carried out. This fact often enhances the likelihood that parties will actually comply with the terms of the settlement. Decisions that Hold Up Over Time Mediated settlements tend to hold up over time, and if a later dispute results, the parties are more likely to mediation again to resolve their differences rather than an adversarial approach. The mediator works with the participants to find a convenient location, date, and time to meet. Mediations may be held in libraries, community centers, the school, school district offices, attorneys' offices, or other locations agreeable to the participants.