Frequently Asked Questions
What is mediation?
Mediation offered by CMUS is free and is a voluntary and confidential dispute resolution process in which a neutral mediator assists parties in finding a lasting win-win solution to their conflict. Mediation lets people speak for themselves and you — not the mediator — control the decisions and the outcome. Mediation is an alternative to non-resolution or costly legal measures.
By using our mediation services , participants do not give up their legal rights. If an agreement is not reached, people can still take their case to court if they wish.
By using our mediation services , participants do not give up their legal rights. If an agreement is not reached, people can still take their case to court if they wish.
How does mediation work?
Mediation brings people in conflict together in a comfortable and safe setting. Two professionally trained volunteer mediators will help you talk to each other to clarify goals, gather information, and identify options. It is up to you to decide what will meet your needs as you manage the conflict. What is discussed with the mediators is kept private and confidential. Mediation is voluntary. Either participant can end the mediation process at any time and no one can be forced to agree to anything that they do not want. Sessions can be held daytime, nighttime and weekends. Each session is two (2) hours in length. Additional sessions can be scheduled. View a mock mediation here.
how do our mediators work with you?
- Listen as you explain the issues of the conflict;
- Ask questions to help you and the other person clarify and understand the issues;
- Guide you through a process to develop solutions
- Assist you in writing up an agreement that works for everyone involved.
- The mediator will not takes sides, assess blame, or tell you what to do. The mediator will not force you to make a decision.
CMUS uses neutral locations throughout our tri-county area. The intake office will work with you to find a time and location that works best for all the participants.
what types of disputes can be mediated?
CMUS will mediate just about any type of dispute between two or more individuals. Some examples of commonly mediated situations involve:
CMUS has an ongoing partnership with the District Court. Select cases are referred to the Center prior to the hearing date. You may also choose to try mediation prior to filing a case. Mediation does not take away your rights. If mediation does not resolve the conflict, you still have other avenues for resolution available.
- Neighbor/Neighbor
- Family Disputes, Parent/Teen, Parenting Plans
- Husband/Wife, Siblings, In-laws
- Roommates
- Landlord/Tenant
- Employer/Employee, Co-workers
- Business/Customer
- Community Associations/Groups
- Friend/Friend
CMUS has an ongoing partnership with the District Court. Select cases are referred to the Center prior to the hearing date. You may also choose to try mediation prior to filing a case. Mediation does not take away your rights. If mediation does not resolve the conflict, you still have other avenues for resolution available.
how do i schedule a mediation?
- Call the Center at 410-810-9188 and ask for intake
- The intake office is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (You may also leave a phone message at any time and your call will be returned at the earliest opportunity)
- You will need to provide either a telephone number or address for the parties involved. (You may also fill out our intake form here instead)
- The intake office will then contact all the parties involved, explain the mediation process, and attempt to schedule a mediation that works with all of the participants' schedules
How is mediation different than other alternatives?
- Mediation is a win/win process, where all of the participants get their needs met
- Mediation is less adversarial than other alternatives when settling disputes, resulting in less stress for everyone involved
- Mediation is completely private and confidential. CMUS offers a safe environment where participants can voice their differences and find solutions
- Mediations are usually scheduled within two weeks, so resolutions happen sooner than other dispute mechanisms
- Mediation is free and voluntary
- Mediation can help repair relationships
- In mediation, participants decide what will work best for their lives, meaning solutions will be far more satisfying and lasting than anything imposed by others
- 85% of people who have used mediation feel that they have improved their situation
- Mediation is effective and the process promotes understanding, builds confidence and trust, and enables participants to move forward