In a Dispute? Look at Free Mediation

Most of us think of mediators only when they’re in the news, intervening in strikes like the one that crippled the MTA last fall. People involved in civil lawsuits sometimes choose mediation as an alternative to the court system, to save time and money. Most people, however, don’t realize that the fast, easy resource of mediation is available free to everyone in Los Angeles County.

Through the Dispute Resolution Program of the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, mediators can help resolve a wide variety of problems. I’m one of the many volunteers who have gone through the free training that the program offers quarterly. Volunteers assist the DRP’s small core staff in answering questions, mediating disputes, facilitating school or community meetings and training other groups in handling conflict.

The majority of those who contact the DRP just want information or help in navigating an array of resources in overlapping jurisdictions. Mediators can’t provide legal advice, but we can point out relevant ordinances that regulate such frequent conflict situations as tenant eviction or control of barking dogs. We also supply referrals to government and nonprofit agencies that assist clients with housing, consumer, building and safety, identity theft, social welfare, legal and other concerns.

Other complainants want mediators to intervene directly. For about a third of our clients, mediators serve as go-betweens to colleagues or bosses, neighbors or community groups, businesses or services, even family members. Although every call is confidential, if given permission, a mediator can air a grievance to another person or entity, listen to the response and report back to the first party.

Mediators are impartial and listen to both sides in a nonjudgmental way. Sometimes the second party, unaware of an issue until contacted, is happy to resolve it. Sometimes misunderstandings of rights, responsibilities or even feelings need to be aired and addressed. More challenging disputes occur when one party denies either the existence of the situation or any responsibility for improving it.

Because mediation is voluntary, we can’t compel participation. However, most people realize it is in their best interest to resolve a conflict. More difficult or complex situations may require face-to-face mediation. Most people want to be heard, and if they’re also willing to listen, they can accomplish a lot. Mediation won’t solve their problems for them. But it does guide them to discover their common interests and evaluate possible solutions.

All of us want the same things: to have a good quality of life and to be treated fairly and with respect. Mediation, as practiced by the DRP, deals not only with the issues that bring disputants to our attention but with these underlying concerns as well. Because the process provides satisfaction on both levels, it creates a win-win situation for those involved.

Now, if only the grocery workers and supermarket owners would ask for our help.