The mediators in these data play major roles in shaping the interaction that occurs in the sessions. This chapter therefore begins with a discussion of how mediators open the session and explain the ground rules of the mediation process and expectations for disputant behavior. In a previous study of the West Coast small claims mediation program, I found that disputants were instructed to address their remarks to the mediators, to avoid interrupting each other, and to wait until solicited to speak by a mediator (Garcia 1991). This interactional organization was functional for the process of conflict resolution because it enabled participants to constructively discuss problems while minimizing the occurrence and escalation of arguing. This chapter extends that previous research by incorporating the analysis of all three data sets. I will show how mediators display their orientation to the speech exchange system of mediation through their facilitation of the session and management of departures from the turn-taking system.