Mediation is a process through which two or more people, otherwise known as parties, meet to discuss an area of conflict between them in order to find a mutually satisfactory way of resolving the dispute.  Mediation is becoming increasingly popular because it is often cheaper and more satisfying than formal processes such as court hearings and tribunals.  Mediation recognises the concerns of all involved and concludes with an agreed resolution that the parties, not the mediators, decide.  This process also provides an excellent opportunity for people to grow and take greater control of their lives.

 

Sometimes there are factors which can make mediation inappropriate.  These might include a power imbalance or when the parties may not be interested in taking control of the decision making process.  A mediator's primary function is to facilitate communication between the parties.  It is not to impose an outcome on the parties involved who retain the decision-making responsibility.  Furthermore, when people are in conflict, they often seek allies to support and help them with their struggle and can be dismayed when a mediator tells them that they are unable to “take their side”.