The Court’s Local Civil Rules provide for the use of alternative dispute resolution in civil cases (excluding social security appeals, pro se prisoner civil rights actions, petitions for habeas corpus, cases that are eligible for compulsory arbitration, and bankruptcy appeals). Pursuant to these Rules, referral to mediation may be ordered by the assigned judge or the parties may file a request asking the assigned judge to refer their case to mediation. Parties who want to voluntarily be referred to mediation can file the request by using the docketing event “Consent to Mediation” in the ADR events category in the court’s electronic filing system.
The Clerk of Court maintains a list of mediators who have been approved by the Board of Judges. Parties requiring the assistance of a mediator should select one by mutual consent and, if the mediator is willing to accept the assignment, advise the Court of their selection. In the absence of an agreement between the parties, the presiding judge may select and appoint a mediator for the case.
One day of mediation services through the Court’s ADR program is provided pro bono, and parties who require additional time may continue the mediation with their selected mediator on a fee basis.
