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Claudia M. Wahl

Bill Snipes

Mediation as a Process

Mediation is a process that empowers participants to openly communicate their views of the conflict, and to express their needs, and desires for a satisfactory resolution. Parties are given the opportunity to share information that may have been missing or misinterpreted, and to collaboratively work through areas of disagreement. The mediation process assumes that people know what is in their best interest, and is a proven way for parties to make their own best decisions about how to resolve a conflict without having to rely on judges, juries or others in authority to make decisions for them. Compared to litigation, mediation is less expensive because it requires less time than going through a judicial process.

The Role of the Mediator

The mediator is someone who assists parties to a conflict by managing the mediation process which includes establishing a suitable environment, and balancing the emotional tone. Mediators help participants sort through facts and information that may seem overwhelming. Mediators are trained to be neutral so they do not take sides, give advice, or make decisions for the parties. Instead, they encourage open and honest communication so parties are able to gain insight into how the conflict can best be resolved.