Benefits of Mediation
The aim of mediation is to assist the parties to reach an agreement.
Mediation has many advantages over court hearings:
- Costs - mediation is usually less expensive than going to court.
- Speed - mediations can be arranged within days, in contrast to litigation.
- Mutually Satisfactory Outcomes - parties are generally more satisfied with solutions that have been mutually agreed upon, as opposed to solutions that are imposed upon them.
- Confidentiality - the mediation is confidential and unlike the court process, there is no public record.
- High Rate of Compliance - parties who have reached their own agreement in mediation are also more likely to follow through and comply with its terms.
- Comprehensive and Customised Agreements - mediated settlements are able to address both legal and extra-legal issues. Mediated agreements often cover procedural and psychological issues that are not necessarily susceptible to legal determination.
- Preservation of a Continuing Relationship - a mediated settlement can often preserve a working relationship in ways that are not possible in the win/lose scenario of court litigation.
- Control - mediation is an entirely voluntary process. The parties are in control of the outcome.
