Why Mediation?

Mediation involves a neutral third party who supports the parties
to reach a mutual resolution of their conflict

Mediation is the way to restore trust in badly damaged but enduring relationships. The mediator assures that all sides are heard, and helps the parties craft solutions as unique as their situations.

Mediation is a more effective tool to resolve conflict where there is an on-going relationship – for example, when a student will continue to attend the same school, or a nurse will continue to work at a hospital with the same medical team, or where an elder will continue to reside in a nursing home. It also is useful where money is not the heart of the problem: e.g., where provision of services is sought, or behavioral changes to foster a professional relationship are critical.

Mediation has been mandated by Courts to encourage parties to resolve their own conflicts for decades. In fact, mediation is mandated or recommended in many professional contexts, including special education disputes, and hospital, medical staff and medical services disagreements.

My success depends on our collective success.

In contrast, arbitration and litigation, more costly in time and money, are adversarial proceedings, where the “rules” of who talks, who listens, and what information is presented is highly controlled. An outside authority – an arbitrator, judge or jury – imposes binding judgments, directing the outcome.

Arbitration and litigation are recommended when there is huge inequity or where there is no expected continuing relationship between the parties to the dispute.

We at the BioLaw Ethics Institute will provide to members and non-members services and training in mediation in the following practice areas:
Mediation in Hospitals
Mediation and Communication in ART Relationships
Mediation in Education
Mediation in Eldercare

BioLaw Ethics Institute provides the above mediation and conflict resolution services.
We can also train your staff to offer these services. Institute members receive additional services,
training or discounts. See Membership for details.