Mediation, in a broad sense, comprises an act of bringing two states, sides or parties closer or together. This article discusses the communication sense of the term. Separate articles, cultural and biological, treat of other senses of mediation.

Mediation consists of a process of alternative dispute resolution in which a (generally) neutral third party, the mediator, using appropriate techniques, assists two or more parties to help them negotiate an agreement, with concrete effects, on a matter of common interest. More generally speaking, the term mediation covers any activity in which an impartial third party (often a professional) facilitates an agreement on any matter in the common interest of the parties involved.

Mediation applies to different fields, with some common peculiar elements and some differences for each of its specialties. The main fields of mediation include commerce, legal disputes and diplomacy, but forms of mediation appear in other fields as well. Mediation in marriage technically belongs in the category, although it has followed its own peculiar history since the times of ancient Greeks: compare marriage counselling.

Contract theory comprises many different theories and various interpretations of the various body of rules and subrules that define Contract Law.

Classical contract theory is the set of ideas and assumptions that underpinned the development of contract law in England and the United States during the 19th century. During this period, the prevailing liberal individualist philosophy of laissez faire elevated contract to a position of central importance in the law.

In the UK, General insurance is broadly divided into three areas; personal lines, commercial lines and London market.

The London market insures with large commercial risks, for example insuring supermarkets, football players and other very specific risks.

Commercial lines products are usually designed for relatively small legal entities. These would include workers comp (employers liability), public liability, product liability, commercial fleet and other general insurance products sold in a relatively standard fashion to many organisations.

Personal lines products are designed to be sold in large quantities. This would include autos (private car), homeowners (household), pet insurance, creditor insurance and others.

The earmark that distinguishes a professional engineer is the authority to sign and seal or stamp engineering documents (drawings and calculations) for a design or a structure, thus taking legal responsibility for it.