Mediation, as facilitated by the PCIA, constitutes a facilitated negotiation process, expertly guided and brought to resolution with the assistance of an impartial third-party neutral. This process is inherently voluntary and culminates in a non-binding resolution, which is not, in itself, directly enforceable as a judicial decision.

Many commercial disagreements can be effectively resolved without the necessity of a formal, binding, and judicially enforceable determination, rendering them highly amenable to mediation. Mediation proves particularly advantageous in scenarios where the disputing parties seek to preserve, or indeed to rejuvenate, their existing commercial relationships.

Given that mediation typically represents a more expedited process than either litigation or arbitration, compelling economic justifications often exist for pursuing a mediated settlement. The PCIA Mediation Rules are designed for adoption by parties who are contractually bound to mediate their disputes, as well as by those who have not previously stipulated mediation but now wish to engage in it, either as a proactive measure to avert, or as an ongoing effort during the course of, litigation or arbitration.

The PCIA maintains access to an extensive cadre of highly experienced and exceptionally qualified mediators, drawn from a diverse array of international jurisdictions. Consistent with its approach to arbitration administration, the PCIA is committed to ensuring its mediation services are cost-efficient. To this end, mediation costs are structured based on the hourly rates of the mediators and the PCIA’s administrative personnel, without reference to the monetary value of the sums in dispute.