Lawyers as Peacemakers Conflicts, disagreements and disputes are common even way before the ancient times.

Even in our daily undertakings, in our respective workplaces, organizations, churches, and many others, disputes or disagreements arises because each has his /her own perception and vision. And this affects other individual or group. Hence, it is a natural and an everyday part of our lives. Efforts exerted on how to resolve conflicts and disputes are becoming a prime concern of every sector in the society. This is because majority of the people realized that it is better to build bridges than to build walls. Building bridges may not necessarily be giving up ones belief, in so far as the other party is concerned, nor accepting the other partys belief. It is more of coming up with an amicable harmony between parties. By such doing, they accede to the terms and conditions. This is what mediation is all about. Hence, in the field of mediation or peacemaking, one must prove that he is capable of handling the dispute. Capability, in a sense, that the concerned peacemaker possesses the personality-based character, professionally qualified and has a passion for people. As far as professional qualification is concerned, lawyer, being an expert of law, is most qualified for. Although, we cannot discount the fact that, some people would perceive a lawyer as someone who is a skilled person that can circumvent the law. Hence, integrity of a lawyer needs to be proven. Though such perception is not a general perspective, the same is still to be recognized as a hindrance of making a lawyer a peacemaker. Lawyer, then, being an expert in the field of law, should be able to identify oneself as a person whose objective is to correct the wrongdoings of the people concerned and deliver justice. And any action of the lawyer that will be perceived as an act that will destroy the trust and confidence among the parties involved can be brought to proper court. That as a peacemaker, the main objective is to be able to reconcile the parties in dispute by coming up with a more rational and better solution preventing expensive legal cost and thereby enjoying a harmonious relationship. Second, as a peacemaker, a lawyer becomes an instrument of communication by acting as a councillor or adviser between parties in dispute. The parties are assured that the discussions will be treated with utmost confidentiality. By knowing this, they will be willing to enumerate their concerns, demands and proposals and discuss openly all sides. Lastly, the concerns raised will be discussed in light with the legal provisions. Each party has the assurance that the peacemaker, being expert of law, is capable to discuss the legal proceedings, citing some legal jurisprudence and opinion. By these, both parties will be able to open their minds and will be willing to come up with a more rational and alternative solution/(s). More so, they will be dispensed with the expensive legal cost if such was elevated in the proper court.