What type of process is mediation classified as?

Mediation is classified as a voluntary and confidential process, which means that the parties involved choose to engage in mediation rather than being compelled by any external force, such as a court order. The confidentiality aspect ensures that anything discussed during the mediation session remains private and cannot be used against either party in any future legal proceedings. This encourages open communication and allows parties to negotiate freely without fear that their statements will be disclosed later.

In contrast, the other mentioned classifications do not accurately describe mediation. For instance, mandatory processes imply that participation is required, which is contrary to the fundamental nature of mediation. Additionally, being public would undermine the confidentiality that is crucial to the mediation process, while a formal and legal classification would suggest a structured legal proceeding instead of the informal approach typically taken in mediation. Lastly, describing the process as informal and opaque does not represent the transparency and the guided facilitation that is often characteristic of effective mediation sessions.