Why Mediation? 為何調解？

When a dispute occurs, we tend to think about who is right and who is wrong. We concern very much what legal rights we have in the matter.   When negotiation between the parties fails, people will usually get lawyer’s advice and take the matter to the court.

Traditional court system is good, but the process can sometimes be lengthy, costly and stressful.  The parties have little control about the process and outcome.   We would suggest people to try MEDIATION first, before the matter gets worse and a lot of costs have to be spent on court procedures.

Why?

Mediation is quick and cost efficient. It is a structured, yet flexible, dispute resolution process.  It allows people to discuss the issues in dispute and find an acceptable solution with the help of a trained, neutral and independent mediator.  It is also private and confidential.  This way of communication between the parties may also preserve their relationship.

Mediation is flexible. Time and place to meet are decided by the parties.  It can be used no matter whether the parties have engaged a lawyer.  It can be conducted even after an action has been commenced in court.

It’s worthwhile to give it a try.

當遇到爭議時，當事人很容易先去探討誰是誰非，以及他們在事情上的法律權利。當談判失敗時，雙方便會各自尋求律師意見，並將事情訴諸法庭作為解決紛爭的方式。

傳統的法庭制度有一定的優點，但很多時候過程漫長、費用高昂及當事人承受巨大壓力。各方對過程和結果幾乎沒有掌握。我們建議：當事情變壞以及須付出很多法律費用之前，大家可先嘗試進行調解。

為什麼？

調解是既快捷，且具成本效益的解決爭議方式。它雖有既定程序，但甚具彈性。雙方在一位合資格、中立及獨立的調解員幫助下討論爭議中的要點，並尋求可接受的解決方案。整個過程是在私下及保密的情況進行。和平的溝通方式也可以保持雙方之間的關係。

調解是靈活的。會面的時間和地點由各方一起決定。無論當事人是否聘請了律師，都可以進行調解。即使爭議已經展開了法庭程序，雙方亦可以進行調解。

調解是非常值得嘗試的一步。

A blog post by Yeda Hong on MediateBC website.