ELIZABETH POLLINA DONLON

In mediation, the participants are the decision-makers. If the mediation results in an agreement, it's because you have reached an agreement in whole or in part. In other words, you are in control, not a judge or a jury. In mediation parlance, we call this "self-determination"... Although a judge may have referred your case to mediation, no one can force you to engage in mediation or, once engaged, to reach an agreement. The goal of the mediation process is simple: to try to see if you can work out a resolution that both of you can live with. Agreeing to participate in the mediation process is a positive step toward that goal... Mediation is simply a method used to resolve conflicts, and is increasingly used to resolve various kinds of disagreements, including almost all kinds of lawsuits. Mediation affords you (and, if you are represented by counsel, your lawyers) the opportunity to meet informally and to try to resolve the disagreement in a much less expensive and time-consuming..