What is Mediation?

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that can be used to settle a wide range of legal disputes and avoid some of the expense, delay and potential risk associated with court action. In mediation, a neutral, trained third-party individual is appointed to assist disputing parties in coming to a mutually acceptable resolution through negotiation and compromise. In certain cases, the disputing parties’ legal advisers will attend a mediation. Mediation is voluntary for both the claimant and defendant and is non-binding until it is written into an agreement that both parties sign. If not satisfactory agreement can be reached, the parties can still decide to pursue the matter through the court system.

In family cases it is usually a requirement to have attempted mediation before an application can be made to the court. Mediations for family cases are generally attended by the parties only.