What is Online Mediation?

Mediation is the process that provides for trained third-party neutrals to facilitate communication or negotiation processes among parties in order to help resolve current disagreements or disputes.

The aim is to assist parties in dispute to change the nature of their conflict interaction from negative and destructive to positive and constructive. Mediators facilitate a process in which conflicting parties make decisions together, based on an assessment of the interests of all parties and the situation each party faces. A mediator does not render a decision. The parties decide on the outcome.

Online Mediation is a common term that refers to mediation through an electronic medium, especially the Internet. In the latter definition the electronic medium assists in the negotiation that is being facilitated by a human neutral and thus enhances the expertise of the neutral.
In other cases the electronic medium may assist in the direct negotiation between parties, without the intervention of a human neutral. This is where the medium completely substitutes the third party.

The online mediation process facilitated by Juripax’ ODR technology is textual, asynchronous communication.

Asynchronous communication overcomes the problems associated with differing time zones and eliminates the need to travel. Parties can simply log into the ongoing discussion at different times and different places. Moreover, the research-tested asynchronous textual communication offered by Juripax, eliminates the distraction and inefficiencies of live communication. There is no need for participants to respond immediately, allowing for less-emotional and more-reflective communication than is the case with live communication.