The Mediation Act 2017 was passed with the objective of improving access to justice in Ireland. The act provides that any agreement reached through the mediation process may be enforced by the courts, offering a greater level of protection and certainty for the parties involved.
Mediation is a voluntary and collaborative agreement where parties can control the process, adding greater structure and clarity to dispute resolution.
Five Key Benefits of Mediation
- Faster – a lot of time can be wasted by taking a dispute through the courts. Mediation offers a way to avoid the courts and to reach a suitable resolution at an early stage.
- Lower costs – the costs associated with mediation are generally lower than the costs associated with progressing cases through the courts.
- Confidentiality – mediation is a private and confidential process. This may be of particular importance to commercial entities that want to protect their reputation during complex disputes.
- Greater control – parties have the opportunity to retain control over the mediation process. Mediators can also explore more creative solutions to disputes than are available in the courts. This in turn can help parties to amicably come to a mutual agreement.
- Mutually acceptable solution – working together through the mediation process can significantly reduce any ill will that may form between parties during a dispute, in comparison to a court-imposed outcome which usually leaves one or all parties aggrieved.
If you seek more information regarding the mediation process in Ireland as it stands and how it may impact your dispute, please contact us at our Dublin offices on (01) 6785199 or at our Cork offices on (021) 4254100.