Mediation is where a neutral third party steps in to assist the parties involved in a conflict to resolve it. The mediator can work separately with each party or talk to them together. The mediator will listen to both sides of the issue and make suggestions for a resolution to the conflict.
So, what kinds of disputes can be mediated? The simple answer to this question—almost all! Mediation is a great way to resolve disputes in a quick, financially-friendly way.
Below I’ve listed several different kinds of disputes that can be resolved through mediation:
- Friends and Family—This can include disputes such as child custody, divorce, separation, and visitation issues. It can also include any sort of dispute over finances, physical or mental health, living arrangements, transportation, etc. that involves friends or family members.
- Organizational—This includes career orientated disputes such as contract disputes and disputes between employees or employers and employees. It can also include disputes between different organizations, merges, and splits.
- Civil—This includes disputes between neighbors, disputes between landlords and tenants, roommates, animals, debts, and property division disputes.
- Criminal—This can include any type of dispute where one or both of the parties involved is in some way breaking the law, or at least being accused of doing so. In Criminal cases the victim(s) must agree to mediate and the decision to mediate must be approved by the judge that is overseeing the case. (What Kind of Disputes Can Be Mediated)
Some of the disputes that can be mediated, but that mediation may not be the best solution are as follows:
Sexual Harassment—Victim may not feel comfortable compromising with the person that has made them feel uncomfortable. At times mediation can help to resolve this type of conflict, but it isn’t always the best choice in a situation where there is an obvious power struggle.
Domestic Violence—In cases involving domestic violence, there is often a feeling of subjugation and powerlessness in the victim that may result in an unsuccessful mediation session(s). These cases can be mediated with the approval of the judge overseeing the case and the permission of the victim in the specific case, but often times mediation may not be the best resolution for this type of conflict. (Reuters, Thomas)
Mediation isn’t always the best answer. For certain types of disputes it may work better for the parties involved to go through with a court case. However, often times in most kinds of disputes, mediation is a great alternative to the costly, time-consuming process of a trial. Mediation can help to preserve existing relationships, help the parties involved to feel they have more power over the outcome, and often times it will help the parties involved to feel more satisfied with the solution to their conflict.
Mediation saves time, money, and helps the parties involved to work together and come up with a compromise that will suit both party’s needs. For more information about mediation and whether or not it is right for your case, contact us and schedule a consultation, CAMS panelists have been working toward the goal of providing an efficient, affordable way for litigants and their attorneys to obtain dispute resolution services.