Mediation when compared with arbitration and litigation, in this many person often get confused. They all describe one thing that is resolving the disputes.
Litigation means the parties for their respective rights go to court to have a judge or jury decide as per legal criteria. Arbitration is something where the parties go to some private court to settel their disputes.

Could we have these in a more understandable language please?? CAn't understand a thing to what you have written!!!

Well i have found this on the net. Don't know if it can help though... Sounds like cantonese to me. Anyone around here could explain in details?

nice article there Jen23. but i'll try to make it as simple as possible here;

arbitration and mediation are both options if a person doesn't want to go for litigation.

when litigating, you hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit and the opposing party will have to do the same. in short, litigation is the most expensive, tiring, emotionally draining option and unless and until judges/jury don't give their decision, you've to keep waiting for an outcome.

both arbitration and mediation employ third and neutral parties.

mediation is the attempt to settle all legal matters (most commonly before the trial) with the minimum of conflicts possible.

arbitration most commonly arises between the arbitrators of each party and it can be of a more binding nature (written verdicts, opinions and decisions).

i hope this helps