Mediation is an informal process which allows the parties in a dispute the opportunity to create a solution prior to further submitting the dispute to a Judge or jury.  As we ar strong advocates of our country's jury system, we also believe that mediation compliments the judicial process and provides another tool in wihch to resolve disputes.

In a mediation, the disputing parties agree on a neutral third person, the mediator, to assist them in facilitating a settlement.  The mediator, although he/she may be an attorney, does not provide legal advice to the parties.  The mediator simply seeks to promote and facilitate free-flowing discussions among the parties towards the end of a mutally beneficial resolution.

Mediation is a non-binding process.  This means that at any time, any party may conclude the mediation and the matter will proceed in litigation. 

In Arkansas, with very heavy case dockets in most counties, the Judges are utilizing the mediation process more often.  The judges refer cases for mediation to see if the dispute can be resolved without further Court intervention.  A great majority of the cases which are mediated in Arkansas are either settled on the day of mediation or soon thereafter.

Mediation can be used in many cases, including personal injury, property disputes, contract actions and family law.

Sandy Huckabee is certified as a Mediator by the Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission in civil law cases and family law cases and is available to assist in facilitating the resolution of disputes as a Mediator.