NCJ Number
94197
Date Published
Unknown
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Since June 1983, Springfield, Mass., has sponsored a project to encourage use of the mediation process as an alternative method to court action for resolution of conflicts within the community.
Abstract
Mediation is a voluntary process in which two parties must show some example of 'good faith' for the process to help them reach an agreement. The mediators act only as a neutral party seeking to foster communication. Advantages of mediation are that it by-passes the complex, impersonal judicial system and prevents costly legal fees. It answers that people in a dispute work together with equal participation. Mediation can be used to settle conflicts involving housing, families, juveniles, consumers and merchants, and neighbors. The project requires community support in terms of case referrals, volunteers for mediation training, and citizen awareness.