Mediation is an informal and confidential process which allows the parties to meet with an impartial mediator who has received training to assist them in resolving their dispute. The Municipal Court Mediation (MCM) program provides court users an alternative to having certain cases heard and decided by a judge (traditional litigation). As a neutral party, a mediator helps court users discuss the issues of their case and explore options to resolve the dispute themselves with a mutually acceptable solution. The mediation process can be a less expensive, informal, and a more meaningful alternative to the traditional trial process, largely because of the efforts of trained volunteers and the resolution being decided by the participants. The typical types of cases handled through the intervention of a trained mediator include, but are not limited to trespass, harassment, creating a disturbance, animal or pet complaints, annoying phone calls, property disputes, non-payment of bills, bad checks, and neighbor disputes.