Many people seek arbitration or mediation of disputes rather than heading to court.  

Analysis of Mediation and Arbitration

What is Mediation?

A mediator is a third-person with no power to make decisions.  Rather, a mediator helps both parties evaluate their goals and options with the hope of finding a resolution acceptable to everyone.

• Benefits of Mediation by Mediate.com.
• All You Need To Know About Mediation But Didn’t Know To Ask-A Parachute for Parties in Litigation! by Paul R. Fisher.
• Mediation: A Process To Regain Control of Your Life by Nathan Davidovich.

Choosing a Mediator

• Selecting a Mediator by Alaska Judicial Council.
• Five Steps to Choosing a Qualified Mediator by Alaska Judicial Council.
• When Should Race, Gender Or Culture Be A Factor When Considering The Mediator? by Fred D. Butler.
• Should A Mediator Also Be An Attorney? by Cris M. Currie.
• What Kind Of A Mediator Do You Want? by Michael P. Carbone.
  Training, style, etc.

What is Arbitration? 

An arbitrator is a third-person with the power to make decisions.  Much like a judge, the arbitrator hears both sides and then announces a decision.  The decisions are sometimes binding and sometimes not.

• Uniform Arbitration Act by the National Conference of Commissioners of Uniform State Laws.

Programs

• Arts Arbitration and Mediation Services by California Lawyers for the Arts
• California Mediation (official court mediation) 

Organizations

• Mediate.com 
  Hundreds of articles and a Ssearchable Practitioner Directory of thousands of mediators.
• Non-Profit Organization Listings from Mediate.com
• Harvard Program on Negotiation Clearinghouse 
  Markets and distributes materials that are useful in the teaching of negotiation, mediation, and other forms of dispute resolution.
• International Academy of Mediators
• American College of Civil Trial Mediators
• California Dispute Resolution Council
• Mediation Network of North Carolina
• Southern California Mediation Association

Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR ) News

• ADR News from Mediate.com.