Socal Dispute Resolution Center

MEDIATION

WE SETTLE DISPUTES

SOCAL DRC MEDIATION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Reservation of Dates and Necessary Deposits
Payment in full is due immediately upon the confirmation of reserved dates. The deposit made by the parties for the estimated hearing time is inclusive of all mediation services, including preparation, research, consultations, correspondence, etc. All parties and their counsel to the mediation must sign an agreement to mediate which includes a confidentiality provision. Download Mediation Agreement.

Pre-mediation Telephone Calls
In many cases, it may be helpful to have telephone calls with counsel and/or parties in order to clarify issues prior to the mediation. There is no extra charge for these calls.

Cancellation & Rescheduling
Deposits (less the administrative fee) will be refunded if the matter is settled or continued and written notice is received seven (7) days in advance of the first scheduled hearing date.

Mediation Briefs
Mediation briefs are requested five business days prior to the mediation and should include the following: (1) a brief summary of the factual and procedural background; (2) the legal arguments at issue; (3) a summary of settlement proposals, including dates and amounts; (4) a statement of the party’s interests and priorities regarding settlement; and (5) any other relevant information that may assist in settling the case. The parties are also encouraged to submit supplemental materials such as relevant deposition transcripts, briefs, key cases, statutes, exhibits, and other documents. Please indicate on the face sheet of the brief whether or not it is confidential.

Mediation Settlement Authority In order to engage in worthwhile settlement discussions, it is imperative that the parties in attendance have settlement authority. Please advise us prior to the hearing if this might pose a problem.

Confidentiality Confidentiality is a key component of a successful mediation. All parties will have signed the Mediation Agreement prior to the commencement of the Mediation.

FEE SCHEDULE

The standard fee for a full day mediation or arbitration is $4,000 and $5,000 for class action or complex litigation mediations requiring extensive preparation. This flat rate includes:

  • All preparation time, no matter how extensive
  • Pre-mediation calls with counsel and/or parties
  • Unlimited hours at the mediation
  • Travel time within Southern California
  • Reasonable follow-up work

Fees may be higher for mediations scheduled on weekends or holidays.

Half-day mediations are $2,000, which include all preparation. In the event that a full session is settled in the first half of mediation, we are happy to provide a $2,000 refund for the unused time.

For less complicated disputes requiring less preparation, arbitrations may be booked on an hourly basis at the rate of $400 per hour. An administrative and case management fee of $250 will be charged to each party. The fees for services other than hearing time include, but are not limited to, the review of submitted materials, preparation for discovery issues and motions, research, if necessary, and deliberation time. A discretionary refundable retainer fee will be charged for anticipated services, plus the possible need for additional hearing time, unless it is otherwise agreed.

WHAT IS DISPUTE MEDIATION?

Mediation is a process in which a neutral person, the mediator, helps the disputing parties communicate and promote reconciliation, settlement, or understanding between them.

  • involves individuals in the process
  • deals with facts and issues
  • based on fairness
  • less expensive than litigation
  • fastest way to settle most disputes
  • confidential and off-the-record

A mediator will not impose their own judgment on the issues or tell the parties how the dispute should be resolved. At the mediation session both parties have an opportunity to explain and discuss their sides of the dispute. If the parties cannot reach an agreement they still have the option of using any available legal remedy.

SoCal DRC (Dispute Resolution Center) offers dispute resolution and dispute mediation in Los Angeles. Conflict resolution mediation is helpful anytime you have a problem possibly requiring litigation.

The dispute resolution services we provide in Los Angeles include business mediation, divorce mediation, employment dispute mediation, workplace dispute resolution, family dispute mediation, community dispute resolution, corporate dispute resolution and private dispute resolution.

SoCal DRC can provide you a certified mediator in Los Angeles to give you a free consultation regarding a dispute resolution mediation. Disputes mediation will take place in a convenient center for dispute resolution in Los Angeles. Dispute mediation has evolved through years and can be often referred to as dispute resolution arbitration, conflict dispute resolution, mediation litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

The Los Angeles dispute resolution service you choose should come from guaranteed dispute resolution methods offered by a dispute mediator who is a dispute resolution professional, a dispute resolution specialist and has dispute resolution certification.