"Are You Really Listening or Are You Just Waiting for Your Turn to Talk?"
Robert Montgomery
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process in which parties who are in conflict meet with a mediator - a trained, impartial facilitator, who may or may not be a lawyer - to explore the issues; improve their lines of communication; discuss options; and if they choose, reach a solution that is preferable to their current situation. Mediation depends on the parties themselves taking responsibility for the outcome by deciding whether it's in their best interests to reach an agreement, coming up with their own solution or deciding to continue into the formal legal process. Even when a solution is not achieved, the parties may have a better understanding of each other and the reasons for their disagreements. This may be helpful in future negotiations or in their ability to maintain an ongoing relationship.