Mediation News

Court of Appeal to Launch Mediation Program for Civil Cases

Sacramento - The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, will offer a mediation program to parties in civil cases that the court finds suitable for settlement, Administrative Presiding Justice Arthur G. Scotland announced today.

Designed to speed the case resolution process and to reduce costs to both the litigants and the court, the program will use trained mediators, provide facilities for mediation conferences, and have full-time support staff to assist mediators and the parties.

The court will provide free appellate mediation training to attorneys, retired judges, and lay mediation specialists who are selected to participate in the program. A mediator must have sound mediation skills and an understanding of the appellate process.

In consideration for the free mediation training, participants must accept up to four mediation referrals. Preparation and the first four hours of the mediations will be pro bono. Thereafter, with the agreement of the parties, mediators may charge an agreed-on hourly rate.

Applications are currently being accepted from individuals who are interested in serving as mediators in the Third Appellate District’s mediation program. The mediator application may be found at courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/courtsofappeal/3rdDistrict/forms.htm.

Those interested should complete the application, attach their resume, and return it to: Cheryl Butler, Supervising Administrative Specialist, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, 900 N Street, Room 400, Sacramento, 95814, 916-654-0209.

The court expects that mediation training will be held in June 2006 and that mediation of cases will begin in fall of 2006.

If you decide to retain a mediator in Texas and begin the mediation process, Contact our Texas Mediaton Lawyer now!

	Did You Know?
	The mediation process may vary depending on the mediator. Generally, mediations commence with a general session with all parties, counsel and the mediator. At the general session, there will be a discussion of the case, the issues on appeal and other matters important to settlement. Then the mediator will meet separately with each party and their counsel in separate "caucuses." In these separate sessions, the mediator will seek to foster negotiations between the parties and develop agreement.