Conciliation

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Conciliation is an dispute resolution process whereby the parties to a dispute rely on a third-party neutral, the conciliator, to assist them in solving their dispute. The conciliator, who may meet with the parties both separately and together, does this by lowering tensions, improving communication, interpreting issues, encouraging parties to explore potential solvents and assisting parties in finding a mutually acceptable outcome.

Conciliation differs from arbitration in that the conciliation process, in and of itself, has no legal standing, and the conciliator usually has no authority to seek evidence or call witnesses, usually writes no decision, and makes no award.