Mediation Services
   What is Mediation?
   The Mediation Process
   Small Claims Court Mediation
   Preparing for Mediation
   Fees
   Scheduling Mediation

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Frequently Asked Questions
Mediation Services

What We Do

The Dispute Resolution Center provides trained conciliators and mediators who act as neutral third parties to help people resolve disputes. As neutral third parties, we don't impose settlements on parties, and we don't take sides. Instead, we guide people through the process of resolving their dispute and finding a solution that works for everyone involved.

Our Services

  • Telephone Conciliation. We provide information, problem solving, and referrals. We can also act as a neutral, impartial go-between and help you and the person or persons you have a dispute with find a mutually acceptable solution.
  • Mediation. Professionally trained volunteer mediators meet with you and the other party at a neutral location. The mediator helps you to communicate your needs and concerns, to create mutually acceptable solutions, and to write up any agreements that you make.
  • Small Claims Court Mediation. We provide mediators at the courthouse. If you and the other party are both willing, you can meet with a mediator and try to resolve your dispute. If you aren't able to reach agreement, the judge will still hear your case.

Types of Disputes We Handle

We work on almost any type of civil dispute in which all the parties are willing to negotiate in good faith. Among the types of disputes we handle are:

  • Landlord-tenant disputes
  • Disputes between merchants and consumers
  • Neighborhood disputes
  • Disputes related to money, personal property, and real estate
  • Workplace disputes
  • Family disputes, including parenting plans
  • School problems
Types of Disputes We Don't Handle

We don't handle disputes in which there is a pattern of violence or physical abuse between the parties, when a party is impaired by drugs or alcohol, where a party cannot adequately speak for him or herself, or where a party is unwilling to negotiate in good faith and consider compromising.

We don't provide legal advice, assistance, or representation. Nor do we provide counseling services for individual or family problems. DRC staff are not advocates nor do they represent any party in a dispute.

Other Resources and Options

If you try to settle your dispute through the center and don't reach an agreement, or if your dispute isn't appropriate for mediation, you don't lose any of your legal rights. All options available to you before calling the DRC are still available even if we're not able to help you resolve your dispute.

If we can't help you, we will do our best to refer you to a person or agency who can. You might find the information on our Links and Resources page helpful.