Glossary
Mediator Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential mediator terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key mediator vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in mediator training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- ADR
- Alternative dispute resolution.
- Arbitration
- A process where a neutral decides.
- BATNA
- Best alternative to a negotiated agreement.
- Binding
- Legally final.
- Caucus
- A private meeting with one party.
- Confidentiality
- Keeping sessions private.
- Impasse
- A deadlock.
- Interests
- Underlying needs.
- Mediation
- A process to help parties settle.
- MOU
- Memorandum of understanding.
- Neutrality
- Not taking sides.
- Positions
- Stated demands.
- Reframing
- Restating issues neutrally.
- Self-determination
- Parties make their own decisions.
- Settlement
- An agreement resolving a dispute.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free Mediator practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Mediator training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.