The CMC states Mediators help those in dispute communicate about the issues of concern to them, and helps participants find solutions that are acceptable to everybody involved. Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process where a neutral third party meets with the disputants and helps to open lines of communication so that the parties can arrive at a mutually agreeable, fair, and workable resolution. A typical mediation session settles the case within one eight-hour session, saving the parties both time and money. This is in contrast with arbitration and litigation, which are often very stressful processes and not supporting the business paradigm, because they can last years and cost the parties inordinate legal fees. Both arbitration and litigation inevitably end in a win-lose situation where a binding decision is made by an arbitrator or judge. With mediation, on the other hand, decisions are typically win-win and made by the parties.