People in dispute often try to resolve their dispute by settlement discussions. Mediation differs from traditional settlement discussions in several ways:

>> Mediation provides a way for people in dispute to resolve their disputes by focusing on their interests and concerns. On the other hand, traditional settlement negotiations usually focus on reaching a compromise based on legal rights and obligations.

>> Mediation requires the people in dispute to meet face to face. This allows all areas of concern to them to be dealt with, and helps keep the problem in their control.

>> Independent mediators help the people in dispute to identify precisely what the issues are between them, and encourage them to resolve these. Having an impartial person taking part in the dispute resolution process allows them to air their views in a non-confrontational way.