In an effort to provide an expeditious and expense-saving alternative to traditional litigation in the resolution of controversies, there is hereby established a program of court-annexed mediation which shall operate in cases pending in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Mediation pursuant to this Rule involves a confidential process by which a neutral mediator, selected by the parties or selected by or with the assistance of the court, assists the litigants in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. The role of the mediator is to assist in identifying the issues, reducing misunderstandings, exploring and clarifying the parties’ respective interests and priorities, and identifying and exploring possible solutions that will satisfy the interests of all parties and thereby resolve some or all of the issues in dispute. Any agreement reached by the parties is to be based on the autonomous decisions of the parties and not the decisions of the mediator. Parties and their representatives are required to mediate in good faith, but are not compelled to reach any agreement. A person approved by the court to act as a mediator under this Rule shall, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 99, have judicial immunity in the same manner and to the same extent as a judge.