Mediation: Another Method for Resolving Disputes

Mediation, Parents are Forever brochure Los Padres de Familia son Para Siempre, Mediacion de Familia
Read our pdf brochure,
Mediation, Another Method For
Resolving Disputes
.
Also available in Spanish
Mediación, Otro Método para
Resolver Altercación
,
para más información
.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is an informal process during which an impartial third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement regarding their dispute. The mediation session is intended to identify pertinent issues, clarify any misunderstandings, explore solutions, and negotiate an agreement.

What is the Mediator's Role?

The mediator is not a judge and does not render a decision or impose a solution on any party. Rather, the mediator helps those involved in the dispute talk to each other, thereby allowing them to resolve the dispute themselves. The mediator manages the mediation session and remains impartial.

How does Mediation Work?

At the mediation session all parties present a summary of their points of view. Attorneys for the parties may be present. Typically, the mediator will then meet privately (caucus) with each party to explore more fully the facts and issues of each side. The caucus offers participants the opportunity to vent anger or frustrations outside the presence of the opposing side. The mediator usually will continue to caucus alternatively with each party, carrying settlement proposals back and forth until an agreement is reached. The agreement is then reduced to writing, and signed by the parties.

How Long does Mediation Take?

While the time required for mediation varies, the mediation session commonly involves less than half a day.

Who Pays for the Mediation

Expenses of the mediation are shared equally by the parties unless they agree otherwise. Parties should know in advance what the mediator charges.

What are the Benefits of Mediation?

  • Parties keep control over the outcome of their own problem.
  • Disputes can be settled promptly. A mediation session can be scheduled as soon as both parties agree to use mediation to resolve the dispute.
  • Mediation promotes better relationships through cooperative problem-solving and improved communication.
  • Both facts and feelings are considered with the help of an impartial mediator.
  • Mediation is private and confidential. The mediator and parties must maintain, to the full extent required by law, the confidentiality of the information disclosed during mediation.
  • Mediation is voluntary, and may be terminated at any time by a party or the mediator. Although in court-referred mediation the parties may be ordered to attend a mediation session, any agreement is entirely voluntary. In the absence of agreement, the parties retain their right to take the dispute before a judge or jury.
  • Mediation costs may be significantly less than taking a case to court, especially if mediation is chosen prior to filing a lawsuit.

mediation

What Types of Disputes can be Mediated?

  • Landlord and Tenant
  • Neighbor and Community
  • Business and Customer
  • Employer and Employee
  • Divorce and Family
  • Juvenile
  • Negligence
  • Products Liability
  • Construction
  • Contracts
  • Personal and Real Property
  • Small Claims
  • Other Civil Matters

How do I Locate a Mediator or Find out More about Mediation?

Ask your attorney, or contact the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution. The Center maintains a statewide roster of mediators, and provides information on dispute resolution alternatives.

mediation   family   family   

Find a Mediator

Our state court roster contains the names of Mediators who have met the Mediation Registration Standards and Procedures adopted September 18,1998 and who have registered with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution, Inc.

Find a Mediator

 

__________
Need help with PDF files?

Visit our software assistance page to download the Free Adobe Reader software.

Mediation:

What is Mediation?

- Mediation: Another Method for Resolving Disputes

- Advantages of Mediation

Family and Divorce Mediation

Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Modification Mediation

- Foreclosure Mediation FAQs

Landlord-Tenant Mediation

 

 

Private Judges

The Alabama Private Judge Act authorized the appointment of former or retired judges to serve as private judges in certain district and circuit court cases. - More -

Arbitrators

Arbitration agreements, are often found in pre-printed consumer contracts. They require parties to the contract to resolve disputes in binding arbitration, rather than in court before a judge and/or jury. - More -

Mediators

Mediation is a confidential, informal process during which an impartial third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement regarding their dispute.

  • General Mediation offers a path to resolving many disputes. - More -
  • Family Mediation offers divorce and family mediation for parenting, divorce and post-divorce issues. - More -
  • Forclosure Prevention and Mortgage Modification Mediation offers specially-trained mediators to assist Alabama citizens with foreclosure and mortgage problems by mediating between the homeowner and the mortgage holder. - More -

Keeping your Information Safe

https:// is http secure.In keeping with industry standards, we have implemented a Secure Certificate on our website. You may see a lock symbol, a green color or the https:// protocol in the address bar. These indicate that you are accessing the real ACDR website and that the website encrypts transmitted data for additional protection.

SPAM

Due to a high volume of spam, if you receive any communication from an entity purporting to be or representing the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution, please verify by contacting the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution at (334) 356-3802.

Identity thieves continually develop new ways to try to find out your personal information. Some common tip-offs that an email is phony are typos, grammatical mistakes, awkward language, missing words, extra spaces, and other signs that the email was written unprofessionally. Such emails might also ask you to look at an attachment or click a link and then give your personal information on a Web page or in a form. Or the sender’s email address might look suspicious. However, attackers are getting better at creating phony emails that look legitimate, so if you feel at all uncomfortable about an email that claims to be from the Center contact us.


 


Let's Get Social!

Did you know we're on Facebook?
Visit our page at facebook.com/alabamaadr and Like us to keep up with the latest news and happenings at the Alabama Center For Dispute Resolution!

We're also on Twitter!
While we don't have a lot of "fast-breaking news," we also have a Twitter account to keep you up on the latest. Follow us @AlabamaADR at twitter.com/alabamaadr

And we have a YouTube channel!
It contains videos and links to videos related to our favorite topics... mediation, negotiation, arbitration, restorative justice. Visit Alabama Dispute Resolution Center on YouTube.


WHO WE ARE

Alabama CDR is the state office of dispute resolution. At the Center, we work with the courts, the Alabama State Bar, state agencies, schools, community mediation initiatives, and businesses to promote early and peaceful resolution of disputes. We are the administrative arm of the Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution.

GET IN TOUCH

Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution
assistant@alabamaadrfor adr.org
(334) 356-3802

SEARCH

 
Admin