Mediation is becoming increasingly popular in Florida courts; it is estimated that 75% of all cases in Florida are settled through mediation.
Mediation and arbitration are both alternatives to litigation, the process of presenting your case before a judge or jury.
When arbitration occurs, both sides present their case to the arbitrator, who then makes a decision. Once that decision is made, it is final and usually legally binding. Mediation allows both sides to discuss their issues and try to come to some kind of agreement together. The mediator’s job is not to make a decision but to facilitate a discussion. It is the job of the parties involved to come to a mutually beneficial compromise.
Mediation can be court-mandated by a judge before the dispute goes to trial, or the involved parties can choose to go to mediation on their own. It is a good option to consider before bringing a case to trial and incurring all the financial and emotional hardships that come with litigation.
If mediation does not work and the case does happen to go to trial, Mr. Boyer is licensed to practice law in all Florida courts.
Source: FindLaw
