Mediation in Medical Malpractice Cases

According to DC law (the Medical Malpractice Proceedings Act of 2006, all named parties are required to participate in mediation in medical malpractice cases. The law has strict timetables for when mediation must occur.

Last Updated : 02/13/2026

How do I...

In order to comply with the law, the court requires one of the following:

  1. Request mediation through the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division. The instructions are on the form.
  2. Submit notice to the court that you intend to hire and pay for your own mediator.

The person filing the case, or their attorney if they have one, is responsible for filing a mediation request or submitting the notice that they are going to hire their own mediator.

 

When the case is filed, the court gives parties notice of a scheduling conference date. The request for mediation or notice of private mediator must be filed no later than 10 days before the scheduling conference date.

Counsel must eFile the form and email a copy to the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division at earlymedmal [at] dcsc.gov.
People who filed suit but do not have an attorney representing them may submit the form by email, mail or in person, as described on the form.

If parties opt to use a court mediator, appointments are scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

Here are the qualifications the Court requires of its medical malpractice mediators, and a list of the mediators and their background.
Multi-Door Mediator Profiles

The following parties are required at all medical malpractice mediation sessions:
All parties named in the case (everyone involved in the case) and their attorneys, for those who have attorneys representing them,
In cases in which a company is being sued, it must send a corporate representative with settlement authority, and 
Insurance adjusters.

Regardless of the result of the case, the mediator must complete a report to the court following the mediation session. The attorney who represents the plaintiff (the person who filed the suit) submits the report. The mediator will make clear the next steps in the case if no settlement is reached during mediation.

Here are the qualifications Superior Court requires of its medical malpractice mediators, and a list of the mediators and their background.

  • All parties named in the case (everyone involved in the case) and their attorneys, for those who have attorneys representing them,
  • In cases in which a company is being sued, it must send a corporate representatives with settlement authority, and
  • Insurance adjusters.
  • The mediator must complete a report to the court following the mediation session. The attorney who represents the plaintiff (the person who filed the suit) submits the report.
  • If parties opt to use a court mediator, appointments are scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

Civil Division

Leadership
Presiding Judge
Hon. Shana Frost Matini
Deputy Presiding Judge
Hon. Yvonne M. Williams
Director
Lynn Magee
Deputy Director
Thomasine Marshall
Location
Civil Actions
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 5000
Washington
,
D.C.
20001
Landlord and Tenant
Court Building B
510 4th Street NW, Room 110
Washington
,
D.C.
20001
Small Claims
Court Building B
510 4th Street NW, Room 120
Washington
,
D.C.
20001
Hours of Operation
Monday - Tuesday: 08:30 am-05:00 pm
Wednesday: 06:30 pm-08:30 pm (Only Small Claims and Landlord & Tenant)
Thursday - Friday: 08:30 am-05:00 pm
Saturday: 09:00 am-12:00 pm All branches operate in the Moultrie Courthouse, Room 5000.
Sunday: Closed
Filings can be made in the after-hours filing box in the lobby of the Moultrie Courthouse for Civil Actions cases.
Contact Info
Civil Actions Branch
phone
202-879-1133
Landlord and Tenant Branch
phone
202-879-4879
Small Claims Branch
phone
202-879-1120
Courtroom Support Branch
phone
202-879-1148