Mediation Terms and Definitions

Conciliation This term has significantly different definitions depending upon the context. It refers to substantially different processes in federal and state statutes pertaining to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), domestic relations court, and public employee collective bargaining procedures. Third Party (Neutral) A term used to describe an impartial person, group, or organization that assists disputing parties in reaching a resolution. Mediators, arbitrators, facilitators, and conciliators are all considered third party neutrals. Conflict Management A philosophy and set of skills designed to assist people in better understanding and dealing with conflict as it arises in all aspects of our lives. Confidentiality Provides that information shared during the course of a dispute resolution process is deemed private and is not to be revealed to anyone outside of the process. Reconciliation Though not a formalized term, it describes steps taken to heal or improve relationships that have been damaged by a conflict. Dispute Resolution (DR) A studied approach or procedural framework that analyzes the means by which disputes are handled within an organization. Facilitator A person competent in the use of dispute resolution who provides a neutral's services to groups (usually more than two) involved in a dispute or conflict. Caucus A private meeting or series of meetings that take place in concert with a dispute resolution process. Can include a meeting between the neutral third party and each of the interested parties separately. Dispute System Design A studied approach or procedural framework that analyzes the means by which disputes are handled within an organization. Appropriate dispute resolution processes are then instituted to handle the specific types of issues that arise in an organization. Ombudsman, Ombuds, Ombudsperson A third party neutral that researches complaints and suggests or implements solutions on behalf of a recognized authority. Most often on behalf of a single organization.

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	Did You Know?
	Mediation has many qualities that make it appealing. In most cases, mediation is: conciliatory fair quick inexpensive voluntary confidential Mediation also has several key benefits. It promotes: greater participant control customized agreements workable decisions mutually satisfactory outcomes improved relationships high rates of compliance decisions that hold up over time