1. Disputes
are resolved quickly. A single hearing is often sufficient to resolve the dispute.
2. Mediation is
significantly less expensive
than litigation. Because litigation
involves lawyers and experts and typically lasts from 12 to 18 months, and legal
fees on both sides can be extremely high. Moreover, the losing party frequently pays
the other party's legal fees in addition to their own.
3. Unlike public
court proceedings, mediation is private and
confidential
unless the parties agree otherwise. This avoids the public
disclosure of potentially embarrassing information in open court testimony and
in documents filed with the court which are generally available to the public at
large.
4. Mediation is voluntary;
a party cannot be forced to accept
an outcome he or she does not like. As a result,
any party
may withdraw at any time.
5. Meditation is non-binding until a settlement agreed
to by all parties is reached.
6. A mediated settlement eliminates the unpredictable
nature of litigation.
ASSISTANCE: Associations needing legal assistance can
contact us.
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