The court offers a number of programs to assist with settling your case out of court. Select a type of case from the dropdown to view what options are available to you.
Has your case been referred to the MVP program?
Apply to serve on the court's Mediation Volunteer Panel
Utilizing ADR methods is often faster than going to trial and parties can save on court costs, attorney's fees, and other charges.
ADR is conducted outside of a courtroom setting and does not involve a public trial.
For many types of ADR, parties may choose their ADR process and provider.
Parties may talk with each other about resolving their case at any time. If the parties have attorneys, they will negotiate for their clients.
Mediation may be appropriate for parties who want to work out a solution but need help from a neutral third party. A mediator can help the parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
A judge or qualified settlement officer assists the parties in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case and in negotiating a settlement. In some cases, voluntary settlement conferences may be requested by the parties.
Less formal than a trial, parties present evidence and arguments to an arbitrator who decides the outcome. In "binding" arbitration, the arbitrator's decision is final; there is no right to trial. In "nonbinding" arbitration, any party can request a trial after the arbitrator's decision.
