Mediation

What is mediation? You may have heard the term more and more frequently lately, but are unsure just what it means.

Basically, mediation is a meeting between people in a dispute to discuss possible ways of solving their issues. The mediator is a neutral person who helps moderate the discussion, identify issues, and facilitate solutions. Mediation is informal and, unlike the more formal court processes like trial, is not subject to strict rules and regulations. It is a flexible process that can be tailored to suit the individual needs of each party participating. You can attend a mediation on your own, or with your lawyer. Either way, mediation provides each participant the opportunity to have their say. The idea is, with a little help from a trained mediator, people can usually solve their own disputes by sitting down, face to face, and talking.

Mediators are people who are skilled in dispute resolution, conflict management and interpersonal communication. They can be lawyers, but they don’t have to be. Currently, the profession of mediation is not regulated the way the practice of law is. However, most mediators have undergone training through an educational institution such as the Justice Institute or the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. The B.C. Mediation Roster Society maintains a list of those mediators who have attained a particular level of education and experience in mediation, and is a good source of qualified mediators.

The majority of mediations end in resolution; however, if you are unable to resolve your dispute entirely, you may open the door for further discussion that leads to resolution. At the very least, you may learn something more about the issues or the other participants that helps advance the process and ultimately expedites your claim.
Most claims or disputes can be mediated with success. At Ratcliff and Company, we can help you determine whether you have an issue, dispute, negotiation or claim that might be resolved through mediation. Please contact Renee if you would like to know more, or if you would like to book a mediation.

With both our practical expertise and mediation skills, we bring a wealth of experience to the table. Let us help you work it out.