As the costs of litigation become prohibitive mediation is becoming an increasingly popular and important method of dispute resolution. Mediation is an effective way to resolve disputes without the need to go to a court or a tribunal hearing.

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where people involved in conflict are helped by an independent specialist mediator to resolve their problems collaboratively. The mediator uses techniques to facilitate communication, problem solving and negotiation between the parties in a safe and constructive environment, and deploys them from a position of independence and neutrality making progress possible. The mediator never takes sides or tells the parties what to do, but helps the participants reach a solution that they are happy with which is then drawn up into a written agreement.

The goal of mediation is for the parties to speak with each other in an open and honest manner to try and reach a resolution that is acceptable to all parties in dispute.

*Mediation can only take place if everyone agrees to it.