Advantages of Mediation?
Because the parties themselves are actively involved in trying to resolve the issues, the solutions are often a much better fit than what someone else might decide for them. Parties can be creative and come up with workable solutions that might not be possible within the confines of the courtroom.
The mediated conversation is often less adversarial than that in traditional legal settings. It allows the parties to keep and maintain important relationships throughout a dispute. Disputing companies need to maintain a working relationship and uphold their reputation in the industry and community. Divorcing couples with children need to remain functional parents in the aftermath of a divorce. Couples with common friends or shared financial interests seek to maintain these despite the break-up. All want to preserve their dignity and be able to look themselves in the mirror when the process is over. These goals are achievable in mediation.
Mediation is typically a lower cost alternative to traditional litigation, arbitration and collaborative law processes. While attorneys may participate, the parties often attend mediation sessions without an attorney, and consult them on an as-needed basis outside of the sessions.