What is the Mediator’s Role in Mediation?

The mediator is an impartial third party. The mediator facilitates dialogue and negotiation between disputing parties to help the parties work out their own agreed resolution to a dispute. Mediators do not decide dispute outcomes.

The mediator asks questions, helps to reframe issues, assists disputing parties to better appreciate one another’s perspectives, assists parties to identify resolution options, and facilitates the exchange of parties’ settlement offers.

The mediator does not take sides, pass judgment, make decisions, offer legal advice, or reveal confidential information shared by parties.