Introduction

The goal of Mediation is to resolve legal matters quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. While recognising that litigation is essential for resolving some differences, mediation offers many potential benefits, including time and monetary savings, greater flexibility, control and opportunity to preserve rather than destroy relationships, the chance to craft solutions not available in the court, greater confidentiality and quicker closure of disputes.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is one of the Alternative Dispute Resolution options that takes into account the interests and needs of the parties.
It is a process in which parties to a dispute appoint a mediator and actively participate in good faith in the mediation process in order to arrive at a consensual resolution of the matters between them.

Who is a Mediator?

A Mediator is a person who has received training in the mediation process.
A Mediator is a person who acts as an independent neutral third party and is selected by the parties to a dispute to facilitate and assist them in attempting to reach a voluntary settlement of the disputes.
The Mediator does not to provide legal advice or representation and does not make any decisions. Instead, the Mediator works with the parties to assist them to find a solution, satisfactory to them, to the dispute between them. The parties control the outcome. The parties are encouraged to seek independent legal advice, and where a voluntary settlement is achieved, it only becomes binding when the parties sign a settlement agreement.
There are many Mediators in Guyana. They include Attorneys-at-Law, Accountants, Probation Officers, Social Workers, Sworn Land Surveyors, Medical Practitioner, Engineers and Sociologists. There are also Mediation Trainers.

Mediation in Guyana

The Honourable Mr. Justice Carl A. Singh, C.C.H. Chancellor (ag) and Head of the Judiciary of Guyana was the Chairperson of the ADR Committee and the principal person responsible for the introduction of Mediation in Guyana in 2003.
Since 2003 to present, Mr. Justice Carl A. Singh has worked assiduously with all stakeholders including the Judiciary, the Guyana Bar Association and the legal profession to champion the cause of Mediation. Of course without the financial and other technical assistance from the Carter Center and USAID, mediation in Guyana would not have been possible.

Mediation Centre

A Mediation Centre has been established within the compound of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Georgetown, Guyana and it is headed by the Mediation Director Mr. Colin Chichester.
During the period 2004 to December 2009, 509 court cases were referred to the Mediation Centre. 101 mediations were successfully completed.
During the period 2004 to December 2010, 546 court cases were referred to the Mediation Centre. 115 mediations were successfully completed.

Note: The contents of this page have been taken from the website www.guyanamediator.com with the permission of the owner Jamela Ali.