Which of the following best describes the process of mediation?

Mediation is best characterized as an informal negotiation process facilitated by a neutral party. In mediation, the mediator assists the disputing parties in communicating and negotiating with each other, aiming to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Unlike a trial, mediation does not involve formal procedures, evidence presentation, or a judge making determinations on the case.

The mediator's role is not to decide the outcome but to help the parties explore their options and understand each other's perspectives, thereby fostering an environment conducive to compromise. This process emphasizes collaboration and can be tailored to the specific needs of the parties involved, making it distinctively different from more adversarial legal processes.

Formal procedures conducted by a judge, trials, and court-imposed settlement agreements all share characteristics of structure and authority that mediation intentionally seeks to move away from, instead promoting voluntary and consensual resolutions.