• Mediation is private and confidential. Most often the mediator is an attorney, knows neither party and has no stake in the outcome. Nothing said to the mediator in mediation is permissible in a court of law.

• Mediation is likely to save time. There is no time given to discover court precedence that will favor one party over the other.

• Mediation could save money -- the shorter the time, the fewer the dollars spent.

• Mediation could be the foremost process to keep an ongoing relationship at a conversational level. Whether or not the discontent is between neighbors or is landlord/tenant, divorce or employee/company disputes, mediation should result in a comfort level for parties in a continuing relationship.

• Mediation may be the only way to have each party consider the other party's point of view. (Haven't we all witnessed two people arguing where we knew neither was listening to the other?)

• Mediation is the best method for individual parties to control their own destinies. They can say what they want. They may bring out items that have irritated them and sat in the bottom of their bellies for years. Some of the items may appear to be frivolous. It doesn't matter. No one records any of the discussions in these sessions. Many of these irritants may not, nor do they have to be, considered as part of any settlement, but everything does get out in the open after years of anguish. This deed alone is often therapeutic for both parties.

Once everything is out, maybe we can have a meaningful settlement that can stand the test of time.

To learn more about mediation and how you can use it or to learn how others have used it, attend a free and open forum to be held on March 27 at the YWCA , 305 Wood St., Downtown, conducted by The Mediation Council of Western Pennsylvania. But the auditorium holds only 60 people. Call 412- 391-5100 to reserve a seat.