When is mediation most effective and what are the advantages?

When maintaining a workable relationship is important and necessary to both parties
Tensions, emotions and stress are affecting communication and/or the ability to maintain a workable relationship
Parties have tried to resolve the problem and doubt they have the ability to work things out on their own
Both parties enter into mediation voluntarily and agree to sign a confidentiality agreement
One or both parties feel uncomfortable confronting the other without someone impartial present
Both parties cannot avoid the conflict situation ie they work, study or live together
Emotional elements complicate the problem eg anxiety, distress and anger
As a result of the conflict, actions by parties are impacting others
One or both parties wish to avoid formal proceedings
When parties understand that mediation is not a mechanism for apportioning blame or dispensing disciplinary sanctions
The two parties (or more) coming to mediation have the power to resolve the issues themselves without having to rely on a third party who lies outside their sphere of influence

Reduces levels of stress around a difficult relationship
Allows both parties to draw a line under their conflict and move on
Both parties show a commitment to improve the situation just be agreeing to mediation
Involves collaborative problem-solving and does not apportion blame
Can resolve disputes at an early stage to avoid further stress and upset
Can resolve disputes that may seem unresolvable, even those that have continued for a long time and are very complicated and entrenched
Can be quickly organised, normally within 2 weeks of the parties agreeing to mediation, and is much faster than the more formal alternative
A WIN:WIN outcome for both as that outcome is mutually agreed and therefore more likely to work
An open and honest dialogue promotes improved communication and understanding and provides a future focussed resolution
Only the Mediators and the parties to mediation themselves are involved in this process and no record of the proceedings are kept on any files anywhere