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Mediation in Civil Matters
Mediation:
A trained mediator assists parties to communicate their positions and interests, and explore settlement options. The mediator does not give an evaluation or opinion. The mediator helps formulate a mutually acceptable agreement between the parties to a case.
Case Evaluation:
A mediator-evaluator helps parties identify the issues in dispute and provides an opinion of the settlement value of the case, the likelihood of liability, and probable range of damages.
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Steps to Mediation
- The mediation date will be mailed to you approximately sixty (60) days prior to mediation.
- You are responsible for submitting a Confidential Settlement Statement (CSS) which is linked at the bottom of this page.
- If mediation is rescheduled, a new CSS must be filed with the new date noted.
- Your mediator will call you approximately two weeks before the mediation to discuss your view of the case, the status of any negotiations, and any obstacles to settlement.
- Prepare for a two-hour mediation session. Follow-up sessions are available as needed.
- If you reach an agreement in mediation, the mediator will help write it and it may be immediately submitted to the court as settlement once all parities have signed it.
- If no agreement is reached in mediation, a pre-trial date will be set by Multi-Door staff.
- If you are represented by an attorney, he or she will handle steps 1-5 above.
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Steps to Case Evaluation
- See steps 1-4 above in “Steps to Mediation.”
- Plan for one session to last up to two hours.
- The evaluator will provide a non-binding opinion at the end of the session.
- Parties can continue settlement negotiations or request mediation after the evaluation session.
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Mediation in Civil Matters Legal Forms