conciliation

• conciliation involves an impartial 3rd party (conciliator) that facilitates a discussion between parties, conciliator makes suggestions about how to solve the problem, but the parties will decide what the final outcome will be
• outcome is non-binding and process is voluntary
• conciliation is appropriate when a relationship between the parties will continue and both parties are prepared to meet in a spirit of compromise
• conciliation is appropriate when a defendant admits liability and the only issue to be determined is the amount to be paid
• conciliation is innapropriate when overwhelmed emotion mioght interfere with the negotiating process and there is a history of violence and threatening behaviour
• conciliation is innapropriate when one or both parties are unwilling to try to reach a mutual agreement or there is a gross imbalanace of power