Bayou City Mediation Center offers alternative dispute resolution and mediation services to lawyers, law firms, corporate and individual clients who seek to resolve legal disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner without going through an expensive and time-consuming litigation.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a forum in which an impartial person, the mediator, facilitates communication between the parties to promote reconciliation, an agreement, or an understanding among them.
Who is a candidate for mediation?
“Be the architect of your own solution”
Mediation is available in most non-criminal matters. However, some non-violent criminal cases, like those involving verbal harassment, often result in a successful resolution during mediation. Claims that do not involve a legal issue are also good candidates for mediation. For example, a dispute with a neighbor over an encroaching bush or the brightness of their outdoor lights is hardly the type of claim that merits a lawsuit. In this type of situation, it may be wise to seek mediation to end the conflict.
What are the advantages of trying Mediation?
Confidentiality. There are a few exceptions, but what the parties say during mediation is confidential and not subject to the future use in a lawsuit. Court cases, on the other hand, are matters of public record.
Costs less than a lawsuit. Mediation cases cost substantially less than court costs and attorney fees.
Faster resolution than going to court. Lawsuits may take years to result in a court ruling, but mediation can take as little as a few hours or a few sessions.
The parties decide. The parties in mediation, not a judge or jury, decide on the resolution.
The parties communicate directly. Rather than communicating through lawyers, the parties speak directly to each other.