North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission

Mediated settlement is a process designed to expedite settlement of disputes filed in court. If the process is successful, parties can be spared the cost, time and stress involved in protracted litigation and a trial. During mediated settlement, a mediator will sit down with the parties and their attorneys, if they have legal representation, and encourage them to discuss their dispute and to brainstorm about ways to settle it. A mediator is not a judge and will not decide the case. Rather, the mediator’s role is to help the parties arrive at their own terms for settlement.

If an agreement can be reached, it will be reduced to writing and signed, and then the case can be dismissed. If an agreement cannot be reached, the case simply proceeds to trial.