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Benefits of Mediation 

  • Less costly and quicker than a court battle  - agreements may be used for a lawyer to prepare a legal agreement or a court application.
  • Informal, convenient, and engage authentically in a non-adversarial process.
  • More likely to restore relationships needed for continuance, e.g., co-parenting and strengthening workplace teams by rebuilding trust.
  • Parties maintain their authority to settle the dispute and can craft creative solutions that best meet their needs, rather than a 3rd party making the decision, e.g., arbitrator, tribunal, or judge. 
  • Completely confidential, no information revealed or discussed during the mediation process can be used or released without the parties' agreement. 

        Considerations

  • Mediation is voluntary. There is no guarantee that mediation will resolve the conflict. If the parties have no intention to make concessions to find common ground, then the likelihood of arriving at an agreement is slim.
  • A mediator cannot give legal advice. Therefore, parties are encouraged to obtain a legal opinion â€‹before mediation or before finalizing their settlement agreement. 
  • Mediators do not decide who is right or wrong, take sides, offer advice, or impose solutions. 
  • Parties usually share the costs of the mediator's fees and expenses.
Mediation meetings can be in-person, by video conference, or by phone.  
 

Mediation can resolve conflicts: 


Within families.  Helping parents and families to resolve issues that affect their children, or cope with challenges of a divorce or separation.


Between social workers and caregivers/legal guardians.  Contested court applications and service plan conflicts, e.g. guardianship, placement, visitation, safety, or permanency plan.


In the Workplace.  Interpersonal and performance-related conflicts between: 

-  co-workers

-  supervisors and staff/contractors, or 

-  service providers and their clients/customers. 


Within Organizations. Governance and membership disputes, formal complaints.  


Between Neighbors and Communities.

- noise complaints, land-use issues

- an inter-municipal development plan or collaborative framework disagreements

- negotiations or conflicts involving Indigenous communities:  First Nations, Metis Settlements, and the Métis Nation of Alberta.   



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