Mediation Before Litigation: Why Isn’t It More Common?
“[M]ediation provides a vital alternative to litigation;” its benefits “include its cost-effectiveness, speed, and adaptability.” [1] But despite these benefits, many litigants only turn to mediation to resolve their disputes after filing a lawsuit rather than before. Litigants who fail to consider whether pre-suit mediation may work for them may be missing out on a valuable opportunity to settle their cases efficiently and privately.