An assault charge against Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson is going to mediation instead of through the criminal courts.

Wilson's lawyer, who appeared in Saskatoon provincial court Thursday, says this is a case that did not warrant a public trial.

"This isn't the kind of thing that there's a public interest in having a dispute aired in a criminal courtroom," Mark Brayford said in an interview.

Brayford said it's common for these sorts of matters to be diverted out of the criminal courts, and an independent prosecutor looked at the allegations.

If mediation is successful, then the criminal charge against Wilson will be withdrawn. The matter returns to court Oct. 7.

The allegation dates back to March of this year.

The complaints were made by 87-year-old Lorraine Kingsley Helbig — who was married to Wilson's father until his recent death, about a month after the incident — and Kingsley Helbig's son Eric Hocknes.

It stemmed from a bitter family legal dispute, according to the alleged victims.

"Mediation is clearly the appropriate way," Brayford said. "This an emotional, difficult time for all of the relatives."