As my firm name is M.J. O’Nions Lawyer & Mediator, I am often asked the question: “What is a Mediator?” Well besides the answer “a mediator is someone who does mediation” it is important to first explain what mediation is.
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process alternative to the traditional court process in order to resolve disputes. Mediation is the process by which a neutral third party, the mediator, assists people to resolve their dispute and reach a voluntary settlement. A mediator is not a judge; he or she helps people negotiate a fair settlement of their dispute.
So, what is a mediator? A mediator is an impartial or non-biased person who helps parties through the use of a variety of different techniques to assist them in resolving their dispute. The mediator is not there to impose a resolution, but rather to help individuals in coming up with their own ways of resolving their dispute.
A mediator can be useful in assisting in the resolution of a wide range of civil disputes such as family disputes, neighbor disputes, estate disputes, employment disputes etc., in pretty much any dispute a mediator can be helpful.
Hopefully that helps in answering the question: What is a Mediator?