A collaborative approach to peaceful resolution.
"Sheri is a talented individual who has a demonstrated knowledge of both legal issues and methods of successful mediation. She is an intelligent professional who skillfully blends the rules of law with a practical sense approach in mediation."
~ Mediation Client
Mediation is a voluntary, collaborative and confidential process whereby a neutral person (mediator) helps persons or parties create a resolution to their dispute through facilitated discussions. A mediator helps the parties reach a mutual agreement by identifying the issues and interests of each party, exploring all possible solutions, and identifying the consequences of not settling the dispute. The mediator does not act as a judge, lawyer or advocate, and has no decision-making authority. Instead, the mediator is an impartial facilitator who helps the parties understand each other's interests and perspectives, generate and discuss optional solutions, and draft mutually acceptable agreements that resolve the issues involved.
Mediation is appropriate when parties' emotions or positional bargaining have restricted their ability to negotiate with each other, but they do not want to relinquish the decision-making authority to a judge or an arbitrator. It is appropriate when the parties want to preserve their relationship or terminate a relationship in the least adversarial and confrontational way. Mediation may be inappropriate if a party is unable to negotiate due to substance abuse, psychological impairment, or physical or emotional abuse by the other party. It is appropriate when parties need to transition from one relationship to another. For example: Transitioning from a married relationship to co-parenting; and from co-workers to a supervisor-employee relationship.
In arbitration the parties select a neutral third party who acts as a judge or decision-maker. The arbitrator's decision can be binding or non-binding depending on the parties. In a binding arbitration, the parties must accept the arbitrator's decision. Although less formal, expensive and time consuming as litigation, arbitration is an adversarial process. The parties relinquish all control and are not participants in the decision-making process, thus they may be dissatisfied with the arbitrator's decision.
In the United States about 85% of the cases in mediation successfully settle. Mediation is a low cost, high benefit investment for all parties. Approximately 95% of all cases brought to Bellingham Mediation achieve full resolution.