Mediation involves the use of a neutral third party to assist in resolving the dispute. The mediator does not impose a decision on the parties in the way a court or arbitrator does, but instead seeks to help the parties to resolve the dispute themselves. Mediation is usually regarded as a faster, less formal and less costly process than court proceedings or arbitration. There are a number of commercial organisations who maintain registers of mediators, and who can be approached to appoint a mediator for a dispute.