• Parties are directly involved in negotiating their own agreements.
• All proceedings remain private and confidential, and without prejudice.
• The South African judicial dispensation supports mediation, and so do several other jurisdictions.
• No settlement can be imposed upon a party in mediation (as happens in litigation or arbitration).
• All proceedings are conducted privately, and each party in mediation proceedings remains in control of his/her/its own position.
• Mediation serves as an early intervention during a dispute, which means an agreement can be reached much quicker and cheaper than would be the case when pursuing the dispute via litigation and through the courts.
• Parties in mediation are presented with the services of a qualified mediator willing and able to aid negotiations, and to assist in achieving a mutually satisfying agreement.
• Generally, the cost is greatly reduced in comparison with pursuing the matter through the courts or arbitration.
• Mediation allows for the re-establishment of post-dispute relationships.
• Should mediation fail, parties in mediation have neither prejudiced nor sacrificed any legal rights nor delayed significantly any ultimate settlement via any of the legal means available.