Legal Definitions - conciliation

Definition: Conciliation is a process of settling a dispute in a peaceful and agreeable manner. It involves a neutral third party who helps the parties involved in the dispute to communicate and find a solution to their problem.

For example, if two friends have a disagreement, they might seek the help of a conciliator to help them resolve their issue. The conciliator will listen to both sides and help them find a compromise that works for both of them.

In some cases, there are specialized courts, such as Family Conciliation Courts in California, that help families resolve their problems in a peaceful manner.

Conciliation is different from mediation and arbitration. In mediation, the mediator helps the parties find a solution, but does not make a decision. In arbitration, the arbitrator makes a decision that is binding on both parties.

Example: John and Mary are getting a divorce and are having trouble agreeing on custody of their children. They decide to go to a Family Conciliation Court to help them resolve their dispute. The conciliator listens to both sides and helps them come up with a custody arrangement that works for both of them.