The disputants must be willing to allow a third party to enter the dispute and assist them in developing proposals and reaching a solution. Acceptability does not necessarily mean that disputants eagerly welcome the involvement of the mediator and are willing to do exactly as he or she says. It does mean that the participants approve of the mediator's presence.
It does mean that the participants approve of the mediator’s presence and are willing to listen to and seriously consider his or her suggestions on how to manage or resolve their differences.
Accepting mediation involves the signing of an Agreement to Mediate.