a) Conduct or arrange mediation of the dispute pursuant to the following article, where all the parties accept such mediation and the payment of the costs associated therewith, in order to reach a negotiated solution to the dispute; b) Hear the case pursuant to article 56, resolving the matter by decision of the Authority; or c) Deny the request for assistance in resolving the dispute. 3. The Authority may, in writing and stating its reasons, deny a request made pursuant to paragraph 1 where: a) Reasonable efforts have not been made to reach a settlement; b) A lengthy period of time has elapsed since the dispute originally arose; c) There are more appropriate means available for resolving the dispute consistent with the present Decree-Law; or d) The dispute is frivolous or vexatious. 4. The Authority may establish procedures, rules and guidelines relating to the dispute resolution proceedings initiated under this article, including setting out the manner in which requests are to be made pursuant to paragraph 1 of this article. 5. The Authority has the power to issue procedural directives in connection with dispute resolution proceedings pursuant to this Chapter, and the parties to the dispute shall comply with such procedural directives. 6. The Authority shall administer all organisational matters relating to a dispute resolution proceeding. 7. Unless otherwise decided by the Authority, each party shall bear its own costs in any dispute resolution proceeding initiated pursuant to the following article. Article 55 Meditation 1. Where the Authority refers the dispute to mediation pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of the preceding article, the Authority may appoint any one or more of its employees, consultants or professional mediators with experience in mediation and telecommunications to conduct the mediation. 2. Without prejudice to the following two paragraphs, the Authority shall offer the parties the opportunity to reach an agreement with one another, with the facilitation of the Authority, to: