Civil mediation is an opportunity for the parties to determine their own outcome. The alternative is, have a court or jury decide the outcome and one or both of the parties may be unhappy with the result. So this way, with mediation, there's an impartial and neutral mediator who can present the negative sides for each party and also communicate to the other party your case and point out to you the negative side of your case and, hopefully, have an opportunity to resolve the case and eliminate any further expenses and costs and, most importantly, attorney's fees.