MEDIATION (non binding) Mediation is the facilitation of a negotiated agreement by a neutral third party who has no decision-making power. Mediation is now recognised as one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways of resolving a dispute and is the most common form of ADR. The number of disputes mediated annually has increased rapidly in the past decade and evidence suggests that the numbers of mediations each year will continue to increase. A mediator is an independent third party who is appointed by the parties to help them attempt to negotiate a solution. He will not propose his own solution. The mediation process involves each party sending short written submissions to the mediator followed by a mediation hearing. At the mediation hearing each party will begin by making a presentation to the mediator and normally the other side. The mediator will then meet with each party individually in private in an attempt to facilitate a settlement