The Nationwide Academy for Dispute Resolution

CONCILIATION AND MEDIATION CONTRASTED

The main difference between mediation and conciliation is that the outcome is a non binding agreement, that is to say an agreement binding in honour only. Conciliation is used extensively for negotiations between large employers and trade unions.

Unlike commercial mediations which can often be concluded, even in respect of highly complex matters involving large sums of money, within a single one day mediation session, employment conciliation will often involve many sessions conducted over several days or even weeks. The same is true of international mediations between governments as epitomised by the Camp David negotiations.