Federal Way Municipal Court will provide a room dedicated to low-cost mediation conflict resolution.

“Mediation is a great way to solve disputes outside the courtroom,” said Patti Dudley, executive director for the non-profit Dispute Resolution Center of King County. The mediation room is ideal for small business, consumer and contractor issues or neighbor-to-neighbor disputes, Dudley said. For example, neighbors who wish to settle a dispute over barking dogs or property could use the mediation room.

“The style of mediation we use is a great way to bring two people in room, find out what is fueling argument, have them talk on that level and sort things out,” Dudley said.

Cost ranges from $20 to $300 per session on a sliding scale, depending on citizens’ income levels. The Federal Way City Council was expected to adopt a resolution for the mediation room on Feb. 16. To learn more about the mediation program, e-mail pdudley@kcdrc.org.