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What people are saying :
 

“[The mediator] is the BEST I’ve met. I was convinced going in that we would not come to a resolution, but we did! He is excellent.
                                    - Attorney

“I was very impressed with [the mediator]. I did not expect the clients would be able to resolve their differences, but with [the mediator’s] assistance, I believe both sides were completely satisfied with the resulting agreement.”
                                    - Attorney

“I have used Citizens Mediation Services a number of times in the past and I have always found your mediators professional and very competent.”
                                    - Attorney

“This was a very difficult and uncomfortable situation for my family! [The Mediator] was very helpful and I sincerely appreciate his participation in this program.”
                                     - Party

“Entire process was handled very professionally.”
                                     - Attorney

“[The Mediator] was thorough, intelligent and sensitive.”
                                     - Party

“I thought our mediators were exceptional and fully facilitated a settlement by allowing the parties to openly discuss their honest differences.”
                                     - Attorney

“I was pleased with the professionalism of both mediators and I’m very glad these program/services are available.”
                                     - Party

“I feel that many people in [the county] could benefit from these services instead of going to formal court. Keep up the good work!”
                                     - Party

“The mediators were very professional.”
                                     - Attorney

“A VERY helpful service.”
                                     - Party

“Very professionally         handled.”
                                     - Party

What is Mediation?

CMS provides Facilitative Mediation services. Facilitative mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in which a neutral mediator facilitates the negotiation process between disputing parties. The role of the mediator is to manage the negotiation (mediation) process, using facilitative techniques and skills to assist disputing parties in reaching a voluntary settlement (agreement).

FACILITATIVE MEDIATORS

Do: Do Not:
Control the process Control the outcome / participants
Remain neutral Show bias or prejudice
  Advocate or "take sides"
Facilitate voluntary agreement Impose settlement / make a decision
Identify interests Evaluate legal issues
Identify resolution options Recommend specific resolutions
Listen and ask questions “Receive testimony” or “cross-examine”
Maintain confidentiality Testify in court on behalf of any participant
Foster cooperative, interest-based problem solving Use adversarial approaches to problem solving

Participation in mediation can either be voluntary or court-ordered. Facilitative mediation works best when the parties involved agree to participate in good faith and believe that a mutually acceptable resolution can be accomplished with assistance from a neutral third-party. However, facilitative mediation is also extremely effective when participants are initially skeptical about the potential for resolution. In fact, 68% (6,847) of all cases mediated by Community Dispute Resolution Programs in Michigan reached agreement in 2008.
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