Mediation is an informal confidential non adversarial process whereby a neutral party called a mediator works with the parties (and their counsel, if any) to encourage and facilitate a resolution of a family law dispute. Mediation is a very effective tool, and an inexpensive alternative to litigation, whereby the parties themselves work together to come to their own decisions (as opposed to a judge) to obtain a full settlement of the disputed issues in a family law case. In fact, mediation conferences have proven to be so effective over the years, trial judges routinely require it be conducted as a condition precedent to scheduling a full trial in a pending litigation matter.