WHAT IS MEDIATION? Click here to print this page

___Mediation is a face-to-face meeting between people who are in dispute. Participants voluntarily agree to sit with trained mediators and attempt to work out a solution to the problem that is in everyone's best interest. Mediation sessions may vary in length but generally average about 1½ hours. Usually, only one mediation session is needed; however, a follow-up session may be scheduled should the parties feel the need to do so.

___When a court-referred dispute is resolved through mediation, pending charges can be dismissed by the District Attorney. Each case referred to mediation allows law enforcement and court personnel more time to devote to other duties.

WHO CAN USE MEDIATION SERVICES?

___Any Guilford County citizen who is having a disagreement with a family member, neighbor, friend, acquaintance, merchant, consumer, landlord or tenant may qualify for our services.

WHAT TYPES OF CASES DOES MEDIATION HANDLE?

  • Assault
  • Pet nuisance
  • Failure to return propert
  • Injury
  • Noise
  • Harassing phone calls
  • Trespassing
  • Personal, family and community disputes
  • Communicating Threats
  • Injury to personal and real property

Please call first to see if mediation can aid you in your particular situation.

WHAT HAPPENS IN MEDIATION?

  • An appointment is scheduled at a time convenient for all parties.
  • The mediation session takes place in a confidential, neutral and informal setting
  • Trained mediators help all parties through a structured discussion.
  • Persons who disagree and the mediators work together to reach a mutual understanding.
  • No decisions are forced upon the participants.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

  • Mediation can prevent more serious, possibly violent confrontations.
  • It is confidential and saves time.
  • Mediation allows participants to discuss feelings and facts at length.
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