Mediation Services
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary meeting between people who are involved in a dispute, together with a neutral person (the mediator) who has training and experience helping people settle conflicts. Mediation is confidential and the parties themselves have the opportunity and authority to agree on a resolution. The mediator does not act as a fact-finder, judge, or advocate for either side.
What are the benefits of mediation?
The Institute for Administrative Justice (IAJ) is a strong advocate of mediation, believing that it usually produces wiser, more equitable and more stable results than litigation and/or adjudication. One of the important benefits of mediation is that it helps restore the relationship between the parties. Often, that relationship has been damaged by the conflict. Because mediation assists the parties in working together to find a resolution, the mediation process itself can be the first step in repairing a damaged relationship. The benefits of mediation are greatest when the parties have a long-term relationship.
What happens at a mediation session?
The mediator will serve as a neutral facilitator, using a variety of dispute resolution techniques to help the parties reach a mutually agreeable solution to the conflict. If agreement is reached, the mediator will memorialize the terms of that agreement in a written mediation agreement.
Who are the mediators at the Institute for Administrative Justice (IAJ)?
IAJ has twenty-three professional mediators who specialize in providing mediation services to governmental agencies. Collectively these mediators have resolved thousands of disputes in a multitude of areas through the mediation process. Our mediators have a variety of backgrounds that include graduate degrees in law, education, social work and several are attorneys.
How are we able to provide statewide mediation services?
To provide mediation services statewide, while at the same time managing costs effectively, IAJ contracts with mediators located throughout California. This approach enables IAJ to minimize travel costs. Because they work under contract with IAJ, mediators are paid for the hours actually spent on given cases. Having conducted mediations in every county in California, our mediators are accustomed to traveling to locations convenient and accessible to the parties.
What types of disputes can we mediate?
Our mediators are trained to handle almost any type of dispute or conflict. Some examples of possible conflicts you might encounter are; disputes with clients, customers or the public you serve; internal disagreements between members of your agency; conflicts involving other entities, or multiple entities; neighborhood disputes; workplace complaints; disagreements arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Can IAJ provide training for your agency?
IAJ mediators are available to provide training on the mediation process, the benefits of mediation and implementation of your own mediation program. Our training curriculum includes live mock mediation exercises, which we believe engender more interest in and a greater understanding of the mediation process. Our mediators are available to train your agency in the area of how to have difficult conversations.
How much does mediation cost?
The cost of our mediation services will vary depending upon the nature of the dispute. We are confident, however that if you decide to hire one of our trained mediators, you will be quite satisfied. The cost should be minimal in comparison to costs otherwise associated with litigation. We invite you to contact us for more information about the cost of our mediation services.