Understanding the Difference Between Mediation and Arbitration

 Anytime there is the possibility for litigation, it can be a major source of stress for all of the parties involved. According to former Judge Ray Harding, an expert in many legal processes including mediation and arbitration, there are options aside from the contentious proceedings that may take place in a courtroom. Instead of pursuing litigation, many parties often choose either mediation or arbitration as an alternative. While there are those who have been involved in their fair share of legal proceedings, most people are infrequently involved in these processes. For the uninitiated, it is important to understand the difference between arbitration and mediation.


When two parties agree to enter into arbitration, they agree to abide by the decision made by the neutral third party. This party, according to Ray Harding, mediator, has no vested interest in the outcome in order to ensure fairness and partiality. This process is significantly different from mediation.

The main difference between the two legal processes is that mediation keeps the involved parties in control of the outcome. In a mediation session, the parties involve a mediator to facilitate the negotiations, thereby avoiding any potential contention. There are many qualified mediators and arbitrators available through firms such as Ray Harding Mediation Utah. When the difference between each legal process is clearly understood, the legal processes for resolving a dispute become much more simplified.



What is a Ray Harding Mediator?
A mediator is a person who assumes the responsibility of assisting two parties to settle issues in an amicable way. Many Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judges find this route prior to the formulation of a joint custody agreement involving minor children.

Essentially, the Ray Harding mediator acts as a facilitator to ease tension, lessen emotional outbursts and to steer the conversation in a positive and productive direction. The mediator should be someone who has no personal or social relationship with either party.

In the workplace, many companies find engaging the services of an mediation firm is far more effective than assigning this responsibility to in-house human resources personnel.

The ability of the mediator to maintain impartiality between him/herself and either party or
the issue being addressed is of paramount importance.

What is Utah Mediation?
In the legal sense of the word, Mediation is a way for two or more parties to resolve a dispute under the auspices of an unrelated third party known as the mediator. Utah Mediation can be a voluntary procedure that all interested parties must opt into or it may be stipulated in an initial contract or agreement that, should any problems arise, the parties make a good faith effort to attempt a resolution through mediation.

The mediator is neutral. In some cities, Small Claims Court offer parties the services of a mediator to see if a solution can be arrived at before appearing before a judge. What is said and discussed in mediation remains confidential. Even if one party proves unreasonable, nothing stated in the mediation process can be used in court. In addition, mediation is often much cheaper than using an attorney.