Mediation: Sometimes the Forum is Enough
by
David B. Harwi, Esq. and George Reath, Jr., Esq.

Two immigrants to the United States contacted a professional mediator in Philadelphia, PA to help them with what was described to the mediator as a serious dispute. The disputants arrived at the conference room where the mediation was to be held and introduced themselves to the mediator.

Before the mediator could discuss with them the course of the proceeding the disputants started arguing in a language unknown to the mediator. The tone of their voices and their body language suggested that they were arguing intensely. After 30 minutes the argument terminated and they shook hands. They turned to the mediator and thanked him and assured him that he would receive his fee. Astonished and embarrassed to accept a fee, the mediator asked them what he had done to deserve the fee. The disputants said the forum and his presence were extremely important to the agreement reached.

© Triage Mediation Services Inc. 2000