Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of mediation?

The best description of the purpose of mediation revolves around facilitating communication and suggesting resolutions between the parties involved in a dispute. Mediation is a collaborative process where a neutral third-party mediator helps disputing parties communicate more effectively. The mediator creates an environment to explore options and encourages the parties to discuss their issues openly. This process is designed to empower the parties to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement, rather than to dictate terms or impose decisions upon them.

In contrast to other approaches to resolving disagreements, mediation does not focus on determining a winner or loser or issuing a binding ruling; it emphasizes cooperation and finding common ground. This collaborative nature is what distinguishes mediation from litigation or other adversarial processes where a judge makes a decision for the parties involved.