Speediation: The Challenges of Resolving a Dispute in an Hour in Mediation

[bpagrawal]

Speediation: The Challenges of Resolving a Dispute in an Hour in Mediation

1. Introduction

I know what you are thinking – mediation is not about resolving someone's dispute within an hour.  Perhaps a more accurate description of mediation would be a catalyst for something that parties may not be able to achieve by themselves. In chemistry, a catalyst provides an alternate and easier reaction pathway rather than impelling particles to react. In order to find this alternate pathway under time restrictions, this essay proposes that a mediator should strive to discover what parties actually want from the process and ensure that the limited time is spent effectively assisting them to attain this.
//http://www.lawweb.in/2013/02/speediation-challenges-of-resolving.html

[vsaiyar]

I think in chemistry the function of a catalyst is to hasten the process of reaction without itself being absorbed.  Mediation may provide alternative methods of resolving disputes and that is required because the method adopted by the parties to the dispute is not workable.  Salt may dissolve in water, but does not react and no catalyst make salt to react with water.  Similarly if parties to dispute react to each other, then a catalyst could be introduced, but if they reached a stage when there is no reacation, one need to change the chemistry of the parties so that they start reacting.