Sometimes a judge will order, or both parties will agree, to have an unbiased, professional mediator explore the options of a settlement before proceeding to trial. The mediator’s job is to bring both sides together to resolve the case and he or she will hear arguments from both sides. The mediator will propose how the case should be settled, but it is important to note that the decision is not binding. If the issues cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides, the case continues to move toward trial.