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Conflict Mediation as an Alternative to Litigation

Saturday, January, 15, 2011


While lawsuits and litigation may sometimes be necessary, they should only be used once all other options for solving conflict have been exhausted. Lawsuits do nothing for preserving relationships and more often than not, they simply increase the amount of conflict between two parties. When two parties have different opinions it is often believed that the only way in which to come to a resolution is through the courts. However, the court system is not always the best choice because one party often comes away with a feeling of dissatisfaction and loss. This is where conflict mediation comes into play. As you will read below, conflict mediation holds many advantages over traditional litigation.

It Shows People Your Intentions

It is easy for an individual, business or large organization to ignore those bringing forth a lawsuit. They simply hope that, as time goes by, they will lose interest or forget about the matter completely. The fact is, few people want to go down the litigation route unless there is no other option. Conflict mediation is the ideal alternative because it informs the other party of your intentions and gives them the chance to negotiate. They need not agree, but they will know that it is often wise to do so.

You Will Be In Safe Hands

Unfair tactics are rife in the legal system. This renders the playing field a dangerous one. With conflict mediation, you are in control of the outcome. Unfair tactics are not permitted, and an independent third party known as a mediator oversees the whole process. This individual has been trained to handle cases equally. Furthermore, since mediation is entirely voluntary, you have the right to take your case to the courts at a later date should you consider this to be the only solution.

It’s Cost Effective

Enlisting professional legal help can cost significant sums of money. This is true even for the simplest of cases. Furthermore, litigation is not a guaranteed method of conflict resolution. Conflict mediation is a cost effective alternative to traditional litigation.

It’s Quick

Conflict mediation is the preferred solution for those who desire their cases to be resolved sooner rather than later.

It’s Private

Law protects these cases. This means that no one else has the right to listen in on your case. You will therefore be free to resolve your differences away from prying eyes.

You Will Feel Empowered

Traditional litigation seeks to assign blame and punishment to the party considered to be in the wrong. Conflict mediation seeks to find a solution to a problem by consulting with both parties and making compromises.

It’s Psychologically Good for You

Traditional litigation seeks to lay the blame regardless of the psychological implications. It is for this reason that traditional litigation is considered a cold and often cruel process. Conflict mediation aims to create mutual understanding and agreement between both parties. Hence, it preserves relationships and prevents the need for future conflict mediation.

Find conflict mediators here