The main advantages of attempting to reach agreement by mediation are:

• You are directly involved in negotiating your own agreement.

• No settlement can be imposed upon you (as happens in litigation or arbitration).

• The proceedings are conducted in private, and you are in control of your own position.

• Because mediation can be used early in a dispute an agreement can be reached more quickly than may be the case when pursuing the problem through the courts.

• You have the services of an experienced person who can aid your negotiations, and assist in achieving a quick settlement.

• Generally the cost is greatly reduced in comparison with pursuing the matter through the courts or arbitration.

• The Mediator may be able to explore alternative solutions that may not have been considered by the parties or are not possible or available through the courts.

• It is possible to re-establish a positive relationship between the parties once the dispute is resolved.

• If the Mediation is unsuccessful you have neither prejudiced or sacrificed any legal rights nor delayed significantly any ultimate settlement by the legal process.