- Most mediation sessions last a few hours to a day or two at most. By contrast, courtroom litigation - which includes discovery, pre-hearing conferences, and the actual litigation - can extend for weeks, months or even years.
- Assuming you have retained counsel (and sometimes parties in a mediation choose to proceed without lawyers), your lawyer’s preparation time will be much less extensive and less expensive.
- Mediation does not have to be binding, meaning that you still have the litigation option if your mediation doe not work out.
- There are no court filing fees, deposition transcript costs, or other court expenses associated with mediation.
- Discovery in mediation is usually limited or not used at all, thereby keeping legal costs down.
- You and your opposing party can choose your mediator and you will know up front what his/her hourly fees will be.
- Mediation can be done over Skype, meaning that some or all parties can participate from the comfort of their homes or offices.