Mediation is a process in which the parties to a dispute turn to a third party (the mediator) to assist in a resolution of the dispute short of litigation or trial. A mediator is trained in facilitating a discussion between the parties and their counsel in an effort to arrive at compromises and solutions to their disputes. Mediation is usually a voluntary process, although it can be ordered by judges in pending civil matters. The parties are generally segregated from each other except at the very beginning and very end of the process. Mediation generally has a high degree of success, resulting in earlier resolutions and oftentimes large savings of money that would otherwise be expended on the litigation process, including attorney fees, expert fees, investigation expenses, discovery expenses etc. It also removes the uncertainty that otherwise may accompany litigation.