Florida Dispute Mediation

Litigation is expensive and time-consuming. A valuable alternative to litigating a case through trial is mediation. Mediation allows each party an opportunity to speak freely, openly, and honestly about the disputed issues. The goal of mediation is to come to an agreement and avoid further legal disputes, legal costs, and litigation.

At Florida Dispute Resolution, LLC, our neutral mediators are Florida Supreme Court certified, and knowledgable in effective techniques to efficiently and confidentially explore resolution options.

Mediation as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Mediation is a form of ADR where a neutral third party assists the parties to try and reach a mutually agreeable resolution.

In mediation, the parties retain a high degree of control over proceedings.  The mediator does not suggest a settlement or adjudicate the matter like in arbitration. Instead, they aid discussions between the parties, encouraging them to find common ground. It is the decision of the parties whether or not the dispute is ultimately resolved and what the terms of that resolution would be.

Florida Dispute Resolution, LLC’s Mediation Specializations

Florida Dispute Resolution, LLC’s neutrals have expertise in the following areas of law:

• First and Third Party Insurance Disputes
• Bad Faith
• Auto Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Premises Liability
• Condominium Association Litigation
• Landlord/Tenant Disputes
• Employment Disputes
• Workers’ Compensation Claims
• Business Litigation

Advantages of Mediation

Mediation is used because it offers a number of benefits and advantages for both parties.

• More cost-effective. Litigation and trials are expensive for both parties. Mediation offers an option to resolve the dispute on the parties’ own terms as opposed to incurring the costs of protracted litigation.
• Less time-consuming. Mediation may also lead to a faster outcome than a trial. Mediation can be set up at the parties’ convenience, rather than relying on a busy court schedule. Courts dockets continue to be inundated by a high volume of cases following the pandemic. Florida Dispute Resolution, LLC offers mediations via videoconferencing as well as in person.
• Flexible outcomes. There is a range of potential outcomes available to parties in mediation which are controlled by the parties involved in the dispute. Our neutrals at Florida Dispute Resolution, LLC are experienced in encouraging the parties to explore creative settlement options.
• Risk Management. Each party controls their own fate in a mediation. It is up to the party, and the party alone, whether or not they resolve their dispute. When litigating a case, important legal rulings can be decided by the judge, and in the event of a jury trial the dispute will be resolved by complete strangers.
• Confidentiality. What happens in mediation stays in mediation. Mediation proceedings and outcomes are confidential.

Role of the Mediator

Many people wonder whether they need an attorney if there is a mediator. In most cases, an attorney is optional but is almost always beneficial. Here’s an overview of a mediator’s role in mediation.

• The mediator functions as a neutral facilitator.
• The mediator facilitates communication between parties.
• The mediator helps parties identify common issues and develop possible solutions
• The mediator helps parties work through possible solutions to come to an agreement
• The mediator does not make decisions or give advice.
• The mediator does not lead either party in any specific direction.