Mediation is a forum in which an impartial person, the mediator, facilitates communication between parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or understanding among them.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 154.023
Mediation is an alternative means of settling disputes that may otherwise lead to legal action. Mediation is used to:
- Express feelings
- Reduce hostility
- Establish effective communication
- Craft agreements that effectively settle conflicts
Traditional legal remedies often produce solutions that can be generic, de-personalized, and adversarial. In mediation, parties can:
- Look for joint solutions
- Creatively seek alternative solutions
- Preserve relationships by pursuing less adversarial solutions
- Freely enter into constructive agreements
Mediation is a useful process for a wide variety of legal cases.
- Divorce, child support & custody
- Child custody modification
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Employer/employee conflicts
Mediation is also helpful as an alternative to direct legal action.
- Neighbor disputes
- Family disagreements
- Elder care
- Consumer complaints