An impartial third party (the Mediator) assists the disputing parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution. A distinguishing feature of mediation is that the parties themselves determine the content of their agreement, a solution is not imposed.
Mediation has many advantages:
- The Mediator maintains a neutral position at all times
- The process is fast, proven effective, private and confidential
- The parties concerned jointly craft their own settlement terms
- Mediation can work to protect and enhance primary relationships between disputing parties
- The intervention is short term and relatively inexpensive
- Mediation seeks to accommodate different viewpoints , Parties can exit Mediation at any stage
- Mediation as a process systematically works through the issues
- Mediation facilitates exploration and communication
- Mediation seeks to contain conflict situations and not allow escalation
- The practice of Mediation is regulated by the Mediation Act of 2017. As a member of the Mediation Institute of Ireland , practice is further informed by the Institutes’ Code of Ethics and Practice