THE ILLUSTRATED CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS REVOLVES AROUND RELAXED, MULTISESSION NEGOTIATIONS INVOLVING A MEDIATOR AND THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT. THE STAGE FOR THE PROCESS IS SET BY ESTABLISHING THE RULES OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, SETTING THE EMOTIONAL TONE, OBTAINING COMMITMENTS WITH RESPECT TO ATTENDANCE AND COOPERATION, AND FORESHADOWING THE STEPS THAT FOLLOW. ONCE THE ISSUES AT THE ROOT OF THE CONFLICT ARE DEFINED, EACH PARTY STATES HIS OR HER POSITION AND THE MEDIATOR STRIVES TO BALANCE THE FACTS AND DETERMINE THE REAL ISSUES AT HAND. IN PROCESSING THESE ISSUES, THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT EXCHANGE ROLES AND EXAMINE THE SITUATION FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES, WHILE THE MEDIATOR WORKS TO MANAGE THE EMOTIONAL CLIMATE, DEVELOP EMPATHY, AND MAINTAIN EQUITY. IF THESE STEPS ARE SUCCESSFUL, A RESOLUTION EQUITABLE TO BOTH PARTIES RESULTS AND IS AGREED TO IN WRITING. IF THE PROCESS FAILS, OR IF THE AGREEMENT IS LATER BREACHED, LITIGATION MAY ENSUE.