What is The Mediation & Arbitration Center, “The MAC”?

The MAC is a Washington Non-Profit Organization organized by individual Mediators and Arbitrators as well as lay people who saw a need for a Dispute Resolution Center in downtown Stanwood, Washington.

The MAC is founded on the promise of cost-effective and efficient dispute resolution along with a comfortable, accessible, and affordable place to perform the services.

The MAC provides a Selection List of Mediators and Arbitrators who are extensively trained and who have proven success records and the proper temperament needed to resolve and prevent disputes in all types of law matters.*

Individuals, Companies and Governmental Agencies are welcome to use the services of the MAC. The services are approximately 50% of the cost of the same services found elsewhere. The MAC asks for donations if the users of the services are able to afford to contribute to the cause of Affordable Dispute Resolution.

The MAC provides the following Services:

Dispute Prevention Services, including:

• Issue Assessment & Spotting

• Issue Process Planning: Communication and Management Protocols

• Emerging Risk Communication Process

• Crisis Planning, Communication & Management Protocols

• Relationship Managers & Management

• Tracking Prevention Results

Dispute Management Services, including:

• Neutral Conflict Manager

• Implementation of Prevention Protocols

• Relation Management

• Reputation Preservation & Restoration

• Manage Dispute Resolution Process

Dispute Resolution Services (at all stages of the dispute) including:

• Mediation - Individual and Paneled Mediation

  What is Mediation?

  Either prior to litigation or after litigation is filed, a Mediator provides the necessary means of communication between the Parties to facilitate understanding and open communication between the Parties. Resolution of any dispute in mediation is Party-Driven. Good Mediators will guide Parties in their desired resolutions and will not dictate or make a legal ruling in a dispute. Resolution happens only when all Parties come to an agreement.

• Arbitration - Individual and Paneled Arbitrations AND Non-binding Arbitration

  What is Arbitration?

  Either prior to litigation or after litigation is filed, an Arbitrator conducts a review and hearing on all the evidence properly presented before the Arbitrator by all proper Parties to the Arbitration. The Arbitrator then makes a legal ruling regarding Parties’ rights and obligations in the matter. Normally, the ruling is binding on the Parties unless Parties have requested Non-Binding Arbitration.

• Early Neutral Evaluation

  What is Early Neutral Evaluation?

  Once the matter has risen to the level of litigation, a Neutral Mediator and/or Arbitrator takes on certain segments of, or all the litigated dispute. Evaluation of the presented cases occurs in a one-sided, confidential setting. This service may inspire parties to resolution in total or to resolve discovery issues prior to expending monies on litigating those matters in Court.

*The MAC does not provide Dispute Resolution Services in Family Law matters; but does recommend that parties desiring such services contact the County’s Dispute Resolution Center.