I believe in and have a passion for problem solving and Alternative Dispute Resolution.Mediation is a method/process whereby a mediator (as an independent third party) assists people/corporations or groups in dispute to resolve their differences. In any society disputes and differences of opinion arise for a variety of reasons and involve any number of issues.Disputes between individuals or corporates’ encompass the full spectrum of our interaction with each other. A dispute is often a question of choice. It seems an unavoidable conclusion that to have a dispute two or more people or corporations must disagree.Why do people or corporations become involved in disputes? There are probably more reasons than can be listed but a number spring readily to mind;i. Differing views about how a contract should be interpreted or performed.ii. Protecting one’s property or perceived rights.iii. Correcting a perceived injustice.iv. Attempting to avoid an asserted obligation.v. Competing self interestA dispute can be resolved through different methods including litigation, arbitration, elections, the exertion of power in some form or another or we fight (with whatever means are available to us) to achieve the outcome we believe is just or protects our right. Self interest is a strong motivator.As a dispute is often a matter of choice so too is the resolution of it.That’s where, I believe, mediation has a significant and important role to play. It offers to the disputing parties a mechanism whereby, with the assistance of a skilled an experienced person, the parties can achieve their own resolution of the dispute rather than having a resolution imposed upon them by a Court, Arbitrator or by some other authority.It’s the self-determination of a dispute that sets mediation apart from other dispute resolution procedures including expensive processes such as litigation and Arbitration.