Let Peace break out by using a mediation process !
The difference between Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation
Litigation is the process of Law. The issue is decided by a Judge in a court. There is a winner and looser. The looser generally pays for the cost of the court and solicitors time. Given these costs are high it is perhaps not surprising that cases are settled out of court by agreement.
A cheaper option but still founded on the same process as the courts is arbitration. In this an agreed third part hears the case and decides the outcome.
Mediation is very different. The mediator does not judge or decide the outcome. Their role is to help the parties to find a solution which both parties can agree. If they can't agree then they will not be forced to accept anything. The mediation doesn't look at the law to find the solution, it focuses on what each side needs out of the given situation.
So why is Mediation better
Mediation is better because it helps people learn a way of resolving their current and future conflict. It can be started sooner than other process and leaves both side feeling better. Whilst it doesn't resolve every conflict, it offers a new alternative which doesn't rule out traditional process if it is not successful. It is the most natural thing to seek advice from an expert when you don't have the knowledge or skill to achieve something. Mediation can come up with solutions which are new to you, ways of doing things differently and creates an appreciation that there are many ways of achieving a single outcome.
Mediation could be a cheaper way to resolve your problem. The initial timescale would be 7 hours and would cost each party £200 for the day. Given that most solicitors charge this for a small number of hours, mediation is a route worth trying. Since all the discussions are private and can't be used in a court, you can still take a case to court if mediation is unsuccessful
Mediation is a way to resolve conflict
Life is a process of learning and achieving your goals. If life didn't need us to collaborate with other people and groups then there would never be conflict. Sooner or later in everyones life a conflict arises. Conflict occurs between people, two or more. When it happens peoples lives are disrupted by feelings of anger and frustration. In the past this emotional reaction could lead to fights maybe even wars. Todays world is no different with countries still resorting to killing to resolve conflict by force. Fighting only continues hate, resentment and much more. However, the work in Nortren Ireland and South Africa offer a different way. What if there was another way which led to an agreed outcome, one that both sides accepted. What if that new way could be used to resolve conflict in the future. That is the prospect and hope that mediation offers.