What is the main purpose of mediation in Ohio legal disputes?

The primary purpose of mediation in Ohio legal disputes is to facilitate negotiation between the parties involved, allowing them to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that emphasizes communication and collaboration, helping disputants to explore their interests and find common ground without the need for an adversarial trial process.

Mediators do not impose decisions; rather, they assist the parties in articulating their positions and understanding each other’s perspectives, which can lead to creative solutions that may not be available through traditional litigation. The goal is to avoid the stress, expense, and uncertainty of court proceedings by empowering the parties to control the outcome of their conflict in a way that serves their individual needs and interests.

Other options do not accurately capture the essence of mediation. For example, enforcing laws occurs during court trials, while mediation is specifically designed to provide an informal setting away from the courtroom. Mediation does not replace court hearings but offers an alternative to them, ideally occurring before one party might resort to litigation. Additionally, gathering evidence is a procedural aspect of litigation, not mediation, where the focus is on resolution rather than collection of evidence.