City of Beaverton: Dispute Resolution Center

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City of Beaverton: Dispute Resolution Center

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About Dispute Resolution

Mediation Programs

Helpful Information

Mediation Process

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Call, write, e-mail or come in

The Center’s intake specialist will take a brief description of your problem, explain the mediation process, and determine a suitable time for a mediator to call. If your concern is not appropriate for mediation, we will refer you to other resources.

A mediator will call

A mediator will listen to your concerns, help identify the issues involved, and describe our services. The mediator can assist you in three ways:

  • The mediator can help you prepare for a successful discussion with the other party about your concern. Our Steps to Resolution can be your guide to a productive and positive discussion. You may find that with helpful information, support, and encouragement you can resolve your issue yourself.
  • After talking with the mediator, you may want to personally contact the other party and suggest that you both meet to discuss your concerns with a mediator.
  • If you wish, the mediator contacts the other person(s) involved, briefly explains your point of view, listens to their perspective, and invites them to work with you in mediation.

A mediation session is arranged

  • A mediator will schedule a convenient time and place for you and the other party(s) involved to meet and discuss the situation.
  • The mediators (in most sessions, two mediators are present) will establish some guidelines for the conversation to provide a safe place to talk.
  • During the session you and the other party(s) will have an opportunity to explain what happened, how each person was affected, and what is important to each of you.
  • The mediators will encourage you to do some creative problem solving, look at your options, and come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
  • Should you desire a written agreement, the mediator will help write the specifics of an agreement and you can each receive a copy.
  • The Center follows up after the mediation to make sure the negotiated agreement is working for each party.

More than eight out of ten cases reach an agreement.