Key points in the article:
- The mediation process is fluid and flexible enough to accommodate narrow time constraints, limited budgets, and the resolution of all types of issues.
- Premediation conferences are essential to getting the parties focused on the actual strengths and weaknesses of the case, turning their attention towards resolution, and building faith in the mediator and the method.
- Negotiations will already be underway by the time the participants convene.
- The parties will be kept busy working on problem-solving and drafting the settlement agreement when the mediator is out of the room.