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Contract & Commercial Law vocabulary · Disputes & Arbitration

Mediation

Meaning in contract & commercial law, with examples

/ˌmiːdiˈeɪʃn/nounCore term

In contract & commercial law, mediation means: A way of resolving a dispute in which a neutral person, the mediator, helps the parties reach their own settlement but does not impose a decision.

In Turkish: arabuluculuk

How it is used

Usually faster and cheaper than court or arbitration, and confidential. Many contracts require mediation before arbitration or litigation (escalation clauses). In Turkey, mediation is a compulsory first step for many commercial and employment claims.

Example sentences

  1. The parties agreed to try mediation before starting arbitration.

  2. The dispute was settled after one day of mediation.

Common collocations

  • go to mediation
  • mandatory mediation
  • mediation session
  • refer to mediation
  • arbitrationA private way of resolving disputes in which the parties agree to let one or more independent arbitrators decide the case instead of a national court.
  • settlementAn agreement that ends a dispute or lawsuit, usually with one party paying an agreed amount and both sides dropping their claims.
  • disputeA disagreement between parties about their rights or obligations, for example over payment, quality or the meaning of a clause.
  • litigationThe process of taking a dispute to a national court and having a judge decide it, as opposed to resolving it through arbitration or mediation.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Disputes & Arbitration

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.