Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) used
to settle conflicts before resorting to a formal trial in a
court of law. The mediation process is defined as a "method of
nonbinding dispute resolution involving a neutral third party
who tries to help the disputing parties reach a mutually
agreeable solution." Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009). In
other words, mediation is an informal way for parties to resolve
controversies with the assistance of an independent mediator who
is trained to help people discuss their differences. The process
is non-binding in that the mediator does not decide who is right
or wrong or issue a decision. Instead, the mediator helps the
parties work out their own solutions to problems. This is in
contrast to arbitration, another popular form of ADR, in which a
third party hears the facts of a case and makes a determination,
which may be final. The information disclosed in the mediation
process is typically confidential pursuant to the agreement of
the parties. Th