Members of condominium communities and other community associations often live or work closely together, which makes resolving disputes in a constructive way especially important. Mediation offers a practical and relationship-focused approach. Instead of taking sides or declaring a winner and a loser, mediation encourages open communication and mutual understanding. This can reduce tension and help preserve and possibly even improve long-term relationships within the communit

Mediation and arbitration are two common ways to resolve disputes without going to court, but they work quite differently. In the simplest terms, mediation emphasizes cooperation and choice, while arbitration emphasizes decision-making and finality. Mediation is a collaborative process. A neutral mediator helps the parties communicate, understand each other’s perspectives, and explore possible solutions. The mediator does not make decisions or impose outcomes. Instead, the pa

The ska-punk band, Reel Big Fish, writes great songs, and performs them brilliantly. While a lot of their lyrics are not suitable for mixed company (i.e., they’re likely not the kind of thing you’ll ask your mother or priest to listen to), they blend comedy, tragedy, and social commentary with astonishing ease, clarity, and entertainment. One such song – titled, “You don’t know” – bears relevance to a principle of conflict resolution. The song starts out with characteristic p

The philosopher John Locke once wrote, “Where-ever Law ends, tyranny begins.” Each community forms its rules for good reasons. They define its character, and, ideally, protect its comforts and other benefits. They offer a degree of certainty, stability, and accountability with respect to the form and functions of the community in which its members have chosen to live. Sometimes, however, in a community conflict resolution process, the idea emerges that the rules of the commun

In the field of war, the word “engagement” refers to specific, limited tactical combat between opponents. It is sword against sword, rifle against rifle, army against army, and so forth. It can involve full-scale, well-planned battles, or unexpected direct combat on the ground. “Engagement” means something else in the field of home and community conflict resolution. To be clear, engagement in war is not  conflict resolution, even if, as a result, the war might end. That’s not