{"id":357657,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/adr\/mediation\/mediation-vs-arbitration-vs-litigation-whats-the-difference.html"},"modified":"2019-11-12T15:48:30","modified_gmt":"2019-11-12T20:48:30","slug":"mediation-vs-arbitration-vs-litigation-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/adr\/mediation\/mediation-vs-arbitration-vs-litigation-whats-the-difference.html","title":{"rendered":"Mediation vs. Arbitration vs. Lawsuit: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mediation vs. Arbitration vs. Lawsuit: What's the Difference?<\/h1>\n\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Arbitration, mediation, and litigation all resolve disputes, but they work differently. Mediation is a collaborative process where a mediator helps the parties negotiate a voluntary agreement\u2014no one makes a binding decision unless both sides agree. Arbitration is more formal: a arbitrator hears both sides and issues a decision that\u2019s often binding. Litigation happens in court, follows strict rules, and ends with a judge or jury deciding the outcome, usually after a longer, more expensive process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Mediation vs. Arbitration: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h2>\n

The main difference between mediation and arbitration is the process used to solve your conflict. Both options will help you solve a legal issue outside of the traditional court process, but they use two different methods to get you from A to Z.<\/p>\n