Preliminary mediation refers to a procedural mechanism in which, after accepting a civil case and before formally entering the litigation process, the people’s court, either ex officio or upon the application of the parties, guides the parties to negotiate on an equal footing, show mutual understanding and accommodation, and reach a substantive resolution of the dispute through various methods such as appointing a mediation organization, designating a full-time mediator, or having a judge preside over the mediation, provided that both parties agree, for cases suitable for mediation.