Mediation
Decades of experience and best practices

Understanding Mediation

Efficient, cost effective and neutral dispute resolution is key to enable companies to move forward quickly and focus on creating value for the future.

Mediation is a method of dispute resolution whereby the parties attempt to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute or avoid future conflicts with the assistance of a neutral third party, the mediator. The mediator facilitates the exchange of information and perspectives between the parties and encourages them to explore solutions that meet their needs and interests. Unless specifically requested by the parties, the mediator does not give his or her own views (as would an expert), and abstains from making proposals (as would a conciliator).

The Swiss Mediation Tradition

Switzerland has a long-standing international reputation in mediation, diplomacy and the offering of good services. The Swiss Arbitration Centre has drafted the Swiss Rules of Mediation based on decades of experience and best practices. Mediation is a very flexible means of dispute resolution that is particularly suitable for international and inter-cultural disputes of all sizes. It is also suitable when the parties in dispute hope to preserve, or to renew, their commercial relationships.

The modern and adaptable Swiss Rules of Mediation encourage parties to find an amicable and efficient solution to their dispute with the assistance of a qualified neutral, either using evaluative mediation (conciliation) or interest-focused mediation. The Swiss Rules of Mediation suggest ways of combining mediation with arbitration.

Why the Swiss Rules?

As part of our commitment to foster a strong economy, the Swiss Arbitration Centre provides flexible, multilingual and confidential dispute resolution services for domestic and international cases, under any applicable law, in Switzerland or abroad.

At the core of the services of the Swiss Arbitration Centre are the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration and the Swiss Rules of Mediation.

To facilitate and expedite dispute resolution, we recommend you use the Swiss Rules Model Clauses in all your contracts so that the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration and/or the Swiss Rules of Mediation apply to your dispute. Both sets of rules can be used for contracts and disputes that are either domestic or international.

Further information on mediation can be found in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) documents listed below and articles available in various languages under Resources.

Feel free to contact us at centre@swissarbitration.org.