Alternative Dispute Resolution – Mediation & Arbitration

Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by which parties in a lawsuit meet with a neutral third party (a mediator) in an effort to settle a lawsuit. The mediator’s role is to assist the parties in reaching a mutually agreeable decision.

The purpose of mediation is to avoid risk, uncertainty, time and expense of pursuing further litigation by settling a lawsuit early on in the process. Mediation is not binding on the parties unless a settlement agreement is reached.

Mediation is an informal process. Depending on the complexity of the issue, mediation may take several hours, days or longer with the length of mediation depending on the parties involved, the complexity of the dispute, and the desire to resolve the dispute. The cost of mediation can be economical compared to the alternatives of trial and trial preparation.

It is important to hire an experienced, fair-minded litigator to handle your dispute. The best mediator is someone familiar with the subject matter of your case who has the ability to navigate you through the process and guide you toward finding your own solution to the dispute.