What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?

In arbitration, each person presents their side of the case to the arbitrator, who in turn makes a decision on how the conflict will be resolved. The couple does not have any say-so about the outcome of this kind of decision. Mediation offers the couple creative options that a judge would not be able to offer, to resolve the case. Usually a couple can meet one to several times to settle disputes with the mediators.