The benefits of mediation over litigation are numerous. For one, it is significantly more affordable than litigation, with people often spending tens of thousands on legal fees. More importantly, mediation offers the opportunity to come to an agreement that both parties can be satisfied with — something that is not always possible in court. Mediation focuses more on peaceful resolutions by allowing everyone involved a voice rather than the traditional method of only one party winning and the others losing, such as how it is done within litigations. This article is about telling you how many advantages are for choosing mediation over litigation for your next case!
Advantages of Mediation over litigation
Quicker — A mediation session usually only lasts an hour, while a trial can last for days.
Affordability — Legal fees are significantly lower with mediation, often costing less than $500, while legal fees for litigation can go up to the tens of thousands.
Settlement — With litigation, one party will usually win and the other loses. But with mediation, the parties are allowed to meet in the middle and come to an agreement that is satisfactory for both sides.
Less stressful — Litigation can be very stressful due to deadlines and high stakes. However, mediation is collaborative and peaceful, which helps reduce stress levels for both parties.
Better chance of obtaining a better result — With mediation, there is a far greater chance of obtaining a more favorable outcome than litigation.
Preserves Relationships — In mediation, the parties can preserve relationships without feeling as if they have been wronged.
Non-binding mediation is when the mediator and the parties in a dispute work together to come up with a solution that will satisfy everyone’s needs. The mediator does not impose a binding decision but rather collaborates with the parties to find one that is mutually acceptable.
You’re more in control –The mediator is more of a facilitator than an arbiter, and as such, they tend to be more flexible and accommodating with the two parties. It also means that you’re more in control; it’s your decision and you agree to whatever the outcome is. You can find out for sure that the result will be fair and impartial because there is no formal enforcement of any decisions made during mediation.
Greater Compliance — Mediation also contributes to greater compliance. When mediation works, it is because the negotiators have reached an agreement through collaboration and mutual respect.
Backlog in the Courts -A backlog is a term used to describe the increase in the amount of work. The problems related to delays in court cases are often related to the backlog; one of the main reasons for this is that the courts are not able to keep up with an increased number of cases each year caused by population growth. Another factor is also that there are too few judges, meaning that any delays cannot be compensated for by assigning more judges.
