Smart Choices for Settling Your Legal Dispute – The Benefits of Mediation

Smart Choices for Settling Your Legal Dispute – 10 Benefits of Mediation –

by Maureen Smith, Global Mediation: Mediation & Arbitration.

Have you ever found your self pondering and wishing you could resolve a dispute an easier way? With the timely preparation, financial costs and work of taking someone who was close to you and/or have known for a long time to court it’s often an uphill battle. Heavy dispute matters are very timely and not easy to deal with so often they are prolonged and put aside. There are many benefits to the mediation process and it’s the easier way to getting started towards resolution and taking action. It’s a smart choice you can choose to resolve your family, business or legal dispute for most matters. Here are some of the top 10 benefits to mediation:

1. You and the other party maintain the most control over the decision making process. Each person gets his/her best chance to put forward suggestions and creative solutions for all issues to resolve the disagreements and settle the case. Both parties are more likely to agree when they are part of the decision making process and much happier as a result.

2. You get to be heard in a safe setting. Talking the issues through is the first step towards resolving conflict and making change. You get your side of the story to be completely listened to by a neutral mediator, who can help you and the other party sort through issues. Meetings  are held privately for each party privately at the onset. This is a great time of relief for most people, to disclose  all issues pertaining to the conflict and know that you’re moving forward towards settling and/or improving your situation. It is also safe to disclose your story free from any abuse, fear of being judged, ridiculed, bullied, punished and/or continued conflict.

3. Mediation is confidential and safe. You, the other party and the mediator do not voluntarily disclose information to a judge or to others not partaking in the mediation.

4. Mediation can save you a lot of time and grief. Disputes can be settled quickly in a peaceful manner so you can get on with your life. Sessions can be scheduled promptly as soon as both parties agree to mediation and before a lawsuit is filed. It can help sort through the issues and explore alternatives for solutions, before taking your matter to formal court proceedings. So you also don’t usually have to go to court or partake in lengthy trials.

5. Save Money! Mediation costs are significantly less then sueing the other party and taking your case to court.

6. Mediation is Voluntary. No one is forced into settling at mediation. A judge can order you to mediation and you still have the option to not settle. After two sessions you still have the option to take the case to arbitration or to court if you can not reach an agreement which you think is fair. Mediation sessions maybe terminated at any time, by either a mediator or either party.

7. The best interests  of children are carefully considered. Mediation will have you go through the specific interests of your children and discuss the consequences of your children’s lives. Mediators can also work through parenting schedules and refer parents and children to counsellors to stay focused on the childrens well being.

8. Mediators can refer you to attorneys and other professionals with respect to your case if necessary. They can also bring everyone together to resolve matters  in a board room.

9. Mediation can create improved relationships through improved communication, cooperation and creative problem solving. Having a neutral mediator present helps bridge the loopholes in conflict, restore harmony and balance in your relationships. It can help you find solutions for both parties by looking at a variety of solutions and possible ways to settle conflict or the dispute, thus leading to more personal growth, peace and harmony. Rather than completely ending a relationship or business project, it can also help you solve communication problems so you can repair your relationship and/ or continue on with your business in a more productive manner. It can also help you make a decision as to whether to stay in a relationship and improve your it and/or help you see more clearly when it’s time to part and move on. Through having an impartial neutral mediator, this can help you improve your methods of relating.

10. Post follow up and continued support. If matters are not resolved within the first mediation sessions, matters can still be resolved with post followup sessions, often within one week to a month after the initial sessions.