Paul and Wilbert live next door to each other.  Each has a house and a yard. Paul has a "mama cat" that keeps having kittens. Wilbert likes Paul but is tired of all the cats messing up his yard. The two of them are unable to find a solution. Wilbert sues Paul for maintaining a private nuisance. Before they go to trial, the judge requires the two of them to meet with a third-party to try and find a compromise. This third-party helps them talk through their issues and concerns and try to help them craft their own agreement.  The two of them agree as follows: Paul won't get any more cats and Wilbert will help pay for Paul to get his "mama cat" spayed so it won't have any more kittens.  This is an example of mediation because the two parties came to their own solution with the help of a neutral third party.  Mediation is a form of what is called "Alternative Dispute Resolution."

Create illustration of two parties that have a dispute and it is resolved through either mediation or arbitration.