Mediation
Mediation is the process whereby parties craft a workable solution to their differences, with the assistance of a neutral mediator. Mediators help the parties recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their cases, and help them to explore areas of agreement, while narrowing areas of disagreement.
Mediators have persuasive powers, but the parties choose to agree to a settlement or not. The mediator has no power to decide issues.
Mediation has the huge advantage over litigation in that a settlement is not confined to determining a winner and a loser, or “splitting the pie”. It also has the possibility of creating new solutions, or “growing the pie”. If the mediation is successful, not only is litigation avoided or ended, it can be the basis for a better working relationship between the parties going forward.
A Supreme Court of Canada judge opined that mediation is the only significant advance made by the legal profession in the last 200 years. James is a strong proponent of mediation.