What is Mediation?
Mediation is a flexible dispute resolution process in which an impartial third party facilitates
negotiations between parties to help them devise their own, mutually acceptable solutions. The mediator
will ask questions, reframe issues, assist the parties to understand each other, and help identify
solutions. Mediators do not take sides, pass down decisions, offer legal advice or reveal confidences.
There are a number of kinds of discussions that parties can have in the context of a mediation. Parties
sometimes use their respective estimations of the likely outcome of litigation as a basis to trade
offers, bargain and compromise. At times, parties may engage in a collaborative process in which they
work together to find solutions to problems relevant to their dispute. In cases where the parties have
an ongoing relationship, parties may focus on their respective values and communication styles. The
mediator will work with the parties to determine what kinds of discussions appear to offer the best
prospects for settlement.
Mediation typically results in settlement when the parties are able to find a resolution to the case
that, all things considered, is better for everyone involved than continued litigation. Factors that
favor settlement over litigation include speed, cost, certainty, control, risk reduction and
flexibility. Typically, the agreement that results from mediation is not exactly what the parties
expected before the mediation.
The mediation process is flexible and relatively informal. It can take various forms, depending on the
nature of the dispute, the approach of the mediator, and the needs of the parties. The parties, their
lawyers and the mediator can all meet together in "joint session". The mediator may meet with the two
sides separately in "caucus". If everyone agrees, the parties may meet with the mediator without their
lawyers or with each other without the mediator of their lawyers. Other possibilities exist.
Confidentiality Top
In order to encourage efficient and frank settlement discussions, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
exercises great care to insure strict confidentiality in the settlement process.
Under local rule 33, adopted by this Court:
"Statements and comments made during all mediation conferences, and papers or electronic information generated during
the process, are not included in court files except to the extent disclosed by orders entered under this local rule.
Information disclosed in the mediation process shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed to the judges
deciding the appeal or to any other person outside the mediation program participants. Confidentiality is required
of all participants in the mediation proceedings. All statements, documents and discussions in such proceedings shall
be kept confidential. The mediator, attorneys, and other participants in the mediation shall not disclose such
statements, documents, or discussions without prior approval of the Standing Panel on Attorney Discipline".
Before a conference convenes where clients are participating, counsel may also want to review In re Anonymous, 283 F.3d 627 (4th Cir. 2002),
which addresses this local rule. Anyone having specific concerns about confidentiality may also raise them with the
mediator and/or with counsel during a mediation.
Before the in-person conference convenes, counsel may also want to review In re Anonymous, 283 F.3d 627
(4th Cir. 2002), which addresses this local rule. Anyone having specific concerns about confidentiality
may also raise them with the mediator and/or with counsel during the in-person mediation.
Preparation for Mediation Top
In preparation for the mediation, all participants should give careful consideration to what is
important to them in the dispute and how the issues in dispute relate to broader issues of relevance to
them (e.g., their values or broader commercial interests). An important goal in preparation should be
to enter the mediation process confident enough in one's own understanding of the situation to be open
to other participants' points of view and to options that may arise in the course of the mediation
process.
Parties should also give consideration to what will happen if the case does not settle. What is the
risk that the litigation will be unsuccessful and what would the consequences be? Parties need to
consider the time, cost and disruption of further litigation and whether success in the litigation will
end the dispute. Might the case be remanded? Might there be another lawsuit? Might another party file
bankruptcy? Might the dispute be fought out in some other fashion?
Prior to the mediation, participants should gather any information that they foresee being relevant to
possible resolutions of the dispute. On the other hand, people are encouraged not to come to the
mediation with predetermined "bottom lines". While it is understood that there will be factors that
will limit all participants' flexibility, identifying absolute boundaries in advance may limit one's
ability to profit from the mediation.
Maximizing the Opportunity for a Successful Mediation Top
In order to maximize the benefits of mediation, participants should keep the following principles in
mind as they enter and participate in mediation:
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Appropriate decision-makers must be present at the mediation.
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Everyone should participate honestly and courteously.
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Each person should be willing to understand, but not necessarily agree with, the others' concerns.
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Participants should remain open to new ideas for resolution.
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Parties should assess litigation costs and prospects realistically.
Cases are resolved in mediation only if the parties can agree to an outcome. Since all parties come to
a mediation with an effective veto over its outcome, each party can participate in the process without
fear. But each party also has a powerful incentive to find a solution that meets the needs of the other
parties to the dispute. The mediation process doesn't work for anybody unless it works for everybody.
This is the challenge of mediation.
Some Mediation Preparation Questions Top
The purpose of these questions is to help you prepare for the upcoming mediation by getting you to
think broadly about the dispute in which you are involved. Please give them serious, private
consideration. Although you will not be required to answer these specific questions at the mediation,
some of the same issues may be discussed. Certainly, you are free to bring them up at the mediation.
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As you think back on the dispute, what is the heart of the matter for you?
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How do you think the events that gave rise to the dispute looked to the other people involved? What would you
have done in their shoes? What would help you understand their perspectives better?
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What factors beyond the control of the parties to the case contributed to the dispute?
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What might you have done differently if you had the opportunity to go back and relive the relevant events.
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Assuming anything is possible, what would you like to talk about at the mediation? What do you think the other
participants would want to discuss?
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What are the practical concerns that inform your perspective on settlement?
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What other concerns are relevant to your thinking about settlement?
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What would it feel like to have the dispute over? What would a fair resolution of the dispute look like to you?
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What would it feel like to have the case proceed? And end favorably to you? Unfavorably?
We in the Circuit Mediation Office look forward to helping you find a way to settle your dispute.