Motion By Plaintiff to Refer Cause to Mediation

Mediation is nothing more than a process by which parties in a dispute negotiate a settlement of their claims against each other through the assistance of a trained, neutral mediator. It is a non-adversarial process. Mediation is entirely voluntary and non-binding. The mediator has no power to render a decision nor force the parties to accept a settlement. The mediator generally does not give an opinion or render an award. Because it is voluntary and non-binding, it is attractive to parties who do not want to litigate, yet who cannot negotiate directly. It is considered to be non-threatening.