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Mediation
Program |
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The
Division Now Offers Voluntary Mediation of Complaints |
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 The
New Jersey Division on Civil Rights has developed
a voluntary mediation program that provides an
effective process, in appropriate cases, for resolving
complaints before the Division that is less costly
and time-consuming than traditional methods of
investigation, conciliation and prosecution. |
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It
is apparent that many of the complaints filed
with this agency could be resolved to the satisfaction
of the disputants if they could be addressed
closer in time to the point of conflict. In
that connection, mediation offers many advantages
to the participants including:
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Reduction
in litigation and other expenses
- Because of the high success rate achieved through
mediation, cases are resolved early in the process
(usually in 60 days or less), thereby eliminating
or reducing expenses associated with responding
to a Division investigation. Litigation expenses
are completely avoided. |
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Voluntary
participation -The only cases
that will be mediated are those where both the
complainant and the respondent agree to try to
resolve their dispute through mediation. |
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Use
of trained and experienced mediators
- All of the mediators used in the program are
trained and experienced in the latest mediation
techniques and are separate from the investigative
units of the Division. Further, there is no
charge for this service. |
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Confidentiality
-The mediator will treat all information revealed
during the mediation with the strictest confidence.
The mediator will transmit none of the information
developed during the mediation to any other unit
in the Division anytime during or after the mediation,
no matter the outcome. |
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 Disputants
control outcome - The complainant
and the respondent have complete control in
determining the outcome of the mediation. The
role of the mediator is to serve as a neutral
third party. The mediator can neither impose
a settlement nor make judgments about the facts
or merits of the case on either side. Also,
either party may withdraw anytime without a
penalty.
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High
probability of settlement - Experience
shows that upwards of 65 % of disputes submitted
to mediation are resolved to the satisfaction
of both parties to the dispute without the need
for further proceedings.
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In
order to ensure that the mediation program continues
to be as successful as it can be, the Division
on Civil Rights asks all participants to complete
a survey at the end of the session. The completed
survey questionnaires are delivered promptly to
the Director, who reviews the comments and critiques
for ways to improve the process and the facilities.
A sample of the survey
questionnaire can be viewed here. |
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