This article cites the growing problem of excessive litigation in our society, the increase in caseloads in both federal and state courts, and the increase in numbers of lawyers as reasons to seek alternatives, such as mediation, to solving legal disputes. The following topics are addressed: reasons for mediating; the mediator's role; the mediator's ground rules; construction industry mediation rules; and the Med-Arb process. The Med-Arb process is based on labor mediation precedent where a neutral party is named in the original contract agreement and is given authority in advance to make decisions regarding certain types of disputes that may result from the implementation of the agreement. Includes 3 references.