A brief may not exceed 50 pages. A reply brief may not exceed 20 pages. For more information, please see DC Court of Appeals Rule 32(a)(6)
A “litigant” or “party” is a person, corporation, or other entity that has a matter in a court. A litigant who does not have a lawyer is sometimes called a “pro se litigant” or an “unrepresented litigant.” Representing yourself can be complicated, but there are resource materials available to help you with preparing your case.
The mediation process at the Court of Appeals is an informal, confidential process in which the parties to an appeal work with an impartial mediator, trained and selected by the court, to assist them in reaching a negotiated resolution of their case. The mediator’s role is to help clarify communication among the participants and assist them in understanding their options. If settlement if not possible, the mediator may help the parties to streamline the appeal by clarifying or eliminating issues that will be litigated in the appeal.
The parties, their attorneys and other persons with settlement authority will meet with the mediator for one or more sessions. Mediation sessions will generally begin with a joint session that includes all participants. After the joint session, the mediator will usually meet separately, or caucus, with each party. All participants are able to participate freely in the joint session and caucuses to the extent they are comfortable doing so. Mediation sessions can be conducted in person or virtually.
It is entirely up to the parties to decide whether and how the case will be settled. The mediator does not render a decision or order a settlement. If the parties do not reach an agreement, the case will be decided by the Court.
You can access the website at https://www.dccourts.gov/services/dccourts-libraries.
An appendix to a Court of Appeals brief must contain: (1) relevant docket entries in the proceeding below, (2) relevant pleadings, charge, findings or opinion; (3) the judgement, order or decision in question; and (4) other parts of the record to which the parties wish to direct the court's attention. For more information, please see DCCA Rule 30(a)
Civil cases where all parties are represented by counsel are eligible for mediation, including probate cases, marital property and child custody cases, and administrative appeals. Civil cases that are not eligible for mediation are matters from the juvenile court; cases involving attorney licensing, the unauthorized practice of law, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, adoption and the guardianship of minors.
Additionally, criminal cases are not eligible for mediation.
Unless otherwise directed, mediations are held at 510 4th St. N.W., 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20001.
The DC Courts and organizations in the community have information and resources available for people who don’t have a lawyer. Click here to go to the Courts’ Legal Help page.
Please contact the Public Office at efilehelp@dcappeals.gov or 202-879-2700.
All parties, counsel, and any non-party who has authority to resolve the case must be present at the mediation session. Sanctions may be imposed by the court if a party or counsel does not attend a scheduled mediation session unless they have been excused by mediation program staff in advance of the mediation.