3JM Company Inc. . . When this occurs I often suggest mediation. In many states mediation has been adopted by the legal system to avoid costly and time consuming litigation which, in most cases, never reaches a verdict due to the parties settling their disputes before final argument is made. Mediation is voluntary, although courts may order parties into mediation, and confidential. The mediator makes no decisions as to the outcome of the hearing.
Successful mediation is contingent on both parties agreeing to settle their dispute.
The Introductory Statement sets the basic rules for the operation of the hearing, establishes the mediator's credibility as a neutral, the openness and control of the procedures, explains what the mediation process is and what will be asked of the parties in the session. To begin developing a rapport with the parties. To allow the parties time to begin feeling comfortable with the mediator and develop a feeling of trust and belief in the mediator's credibility as a neutral. To begin creating an atmosphere of agreement by getting the parties to agree to the ground rules. Initial Statements are commonly referred to as uninterrupted time.