Rethinking Disputes: The Mediation Alternative

This collection of essays is designed as an introduction to mediation and the use of mediation processes for anyone interested in the field of alternative dispute resolution. The task of the mediator in mediation is to facilitate an agreement between the disputing parties. These essays review the use and practice of mediation in relation to a wide range of fields, including family law, crime, compensation for personal injuries, business disputes, building and construction law, the environment and labour relations. Papers are alsoincluded which aim to orientate the reader to the principles of mediation and interest-based dispute resolution and the issues these raise for the future of conflict resolution services, including ethical issues in mediation, mediation training, and the present and future development of mediation services within organizations, communities and the court system.