NCJ Number
100703
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Issue: 10 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 99-108
Date Published
1985
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study identifies conditions for successful mediation based on an analysis of landlord-tenant mediations and neighborhood-conflict mediations in Philadelphia.
Abstract
The landlord-tenant mediation analysis examined a 2-month sample of 90 cases; findings address the 69 that reached an agreement (50 returned the questionnaire). The questionnaire solicited whether the parties perceived they had been treated fairly, whether they were satisfied with the agreement, whether the mediator had been impartial, and whether they would use mediation again. A total of 376 cases of neighborhood dispute mediation were also assessed using similar criteria. Findings suggest that successful mediation depends on the parties having a relationship prior to the dispute, which is likely to continue in some form following the settlement. Success also depends on the parties' willingness to negotiate, their involvement in developing the agreement, their perception of being treated fairly, and their perception of the mediator's impartiality. The most important ingredient is the mediator's acting as a facilitator to help the parties resolve their own dispute without mediator coercion. 18 references.