What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process that is used effectively to
resolve disputes between people. Parties having a
dispute with each other select a neutral third person,
called a MEDIATOR, to assist them in resolving the
dispute. The purpose of Mediation is to open up the
lines of communication and explore ways to settle the
dispute that is acceptable to all parties. The
Mediator’s job is to help the parties identify the
issues, encourage joint problem solving and consider
different settlement options. Mediation is designed to
help the parties reach a settlement that is acceptable
and agreeable to them all. The parties themselves
decide whether to settle the dispute and the terms of
any settlement.
The Mediation conference is informal, confidential and
non-adversarial. The parties meet at the Mediator’s
office or another mutually-agreeable location. Each
party provides his or her version of the dispute to the
Mediator. The Mediator asks the parties questions to
better understand the issues involved. The Mediator may
also meet with each of the parties individually during
the Mediation. If a resolution to the dispute is agreed
to by the parties, a written agreement will be prepared outlining the terms of the resolution, and
each of the parties will sign it.
Mediation can take place prior to the filing of a
lawsuit (pre-litigation) to avoid the need for a
lawsuit, or during litigation to resolve the issues
raised in the lawsuit and avoid the need for a trial.
This often saves the parties a significant amount of
costs and fees.
Florida Supreme Court certified circuit and
county mediator
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