Judges decide how disputes should be resolved.

Mediators guide the parties through a process of designing

and reaching their own agreement.

Mediation provides disputing parties with a structured yet informal process. The typical mediation session lasts from one to two hours.   The mediator works with the parties to encourage the   opening of a dialogue, while providing guidance and   helping define areas of agreement and disagreement. He   or she does not impose a settlement, but rather   attempts to reach a negotiated solution by having each   party understand not only their own needs but those of   the other party as well.   The focus of mediation is to create a consensually   written agreement that each party feels is fair,   balanced, and realistic, and which accurately reflects   the issues raised and addressed in the mediation. Mediation strives for a “win-win” solution rather than one based on "winner-take-all." It operates from a position that the parties, as they meet, will realistically assess their own positions and cooperatively reach a solution. What mediation is not. Mediation is not litigation. It will not determine who is right or wrong. Mediation is not counseling, but focuses on finding a workable solution to problems. Mediation is a voluntary process and as such is neither adversarial nor coercive.