Early mediation is a dispute resolution mechanism that seeks to avoid potentially expensive and time consuming litigation by the parties. Many disputes involve issues which can be resolved by the parties through mediation early in the process, thus saving the parties financial and emotional cost. Early mediation can often occur prior to the initiation of litigation.
The benefits of early mediation include:
- Cost effectiveness: By engaging in mediation early in the dispute process, the parties can avoid the high cost associated with lengthy litigation.
- Timely resolution: The litigation process is very often time consuming. By mediating early in the process, a resolution can be achieved in a prompt manner and without the dispute spinning out of control.
- Privacy: Mediation prior to the initiation of legal proceedings maintains the confidentially and privacy of the dispute and the parties.
- Preservation of ongoing relationships: In many instances, early mediation of a dispute allows the parties to preserve and maintain their ongoing relationship, which unfortunately can become fractured with prolonged litigation.
“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses and waste of time.”-Abraham Lincoln