Mediation:
- The Court provides trained mediators who can assist you in settling your case before trial.
- Mediators do not decide the outcome of a case.
- All agreements reached in mediation are voluntary.
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How should I prepare for mediation?
Mediation involves several required steps. The responsibilities of all participants are outlined below. If you are represented by an attorney, they will handle steps 1-5, below.
- The court will send you a notice of your mediation date approximately 60 days prior to the date. All participants must submit a Confidential Settlement Statement. If you are represented by an attorney, they must also submit a Mediation Readiness Certificate.
- A forms packet—including the Confidential Settlement Statement, Mediation Readiness Certificate, mediation procedures, and instructions—is available for download. Click here to download the forms packet.
- Residential Foreclosure cases should use the Residential Foreclosure Confidential Settlement Statement available here.
- All mediations are being held remotely unless an in-person mediation is requested and agreed to by the participants and Multi-Door.
- If your mediation is rescheduled, you must fill out a new Confidential Settlement Statement (or the Residential Foreclosure Confidential Settlement Statement, if applicable).
- Multi-Door will email all participants 7 to 10 business days before the mediation date. This email will include:
- Information about the remote mediation
- Instructions on how to participate in remote mediation
- The link to join the virtual mediation
- Contact information of your mediator and case manager
- Your mediator will call you approximately 5 to 7 days before the mediation to discuss:
- Your view of the case
- The status of any negotiations
- Any obstacles to settlement
- Mediation sessions generally last 3 hours. (Residential Foreclosure cases generally last 45 minutes.) Follow-up sessions may be scheduled if both participants agree they are needed and could be helpful.
- If you reach an agreement in mediation, the agreement will be filed directly with the court.
- If no agreement is reached in mediation, court staff will set a pre-trial date.
Can I Request an In-person Mediation?
You may ask for an in-person mediation. All participants must agree to an in-person mediation. To make a request you must submit an Application to Appear In Person within 24 hours of receiving the mediation scheduling email sent by your case manager. The case manager will follow up with the requesting party(s) within 24 hours of the request.
Residential Foreclosure Mediation:
Residential Foreclosure cases are scheduled for mediation during initial hearings and status conferences with the Judge. You will receive a special mediation order with the mediation date and instructions for filing your Confidential Settlement Statement. Mediations are scheduled between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 45-minute blocks of time.