Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Mediator Neutrality: Seeing Both Sides

By Rachel Fishman Green
December 01, 2003

The theory underlying our adversarial legal system is that each person will hire a bright, skilled warrior who will see the situation completely from the perspective of the client, then present the strongest case possible to the judge. The judge will get the best information from each side, but will be neutral. Then the judge will see the situation “from above” and will render a decision that metes out justice and wisdom. But because of our overloaded and burdened court system, most judges do not have the time to get to know the people behind the caseload. People who go through the court system often end up feeling the judge did not really hear their story, and that they were not given a chance to speak.

Mediation gives clients the chance to be heard. One of the underlying assumptions of mediation is that people are the experts about their lives, their families and their needs. No expert will ever know or care about their issues as much as they do – because only they and their family will live with any agreements made.

Read These Next
Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office Image

A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.

New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.

Bit Parts Image

Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights

Risks of “Baseball Arbitration” in Resolving Real Estate Disputes Image

“Baseball arbitration” refers to the process used in Major League Baseball in which if an eligible player's representative and the club ownership cannot reach a compensation agreement through negotiation, each party enters a final submission and during a formal hearing each side — player and management — presents its case and then the designated panel of arbitrators chooses one of the salary bids with no other result being allowed. This method has become increasingly popular even beyond the sport of baseball.

Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel Image

'Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel is a continuation of the discussion of client expectations and the disconnect that often occurs. And although the outside attorneys should be pursuing how inside-counsel actually think, inside counsel should make an effort to impart this information without waiting to be asked.