Ventura — Civil Mediation Program Information

Source: https://ventura.courts.ca.gov/system/files/civil_mediation_program_information_sheet.pdf

Superior Court of California County of Ventura COURT-ORDERED CIVIL MEDIATION PROGRAM INFORMATION SHEET

Purpose

Mediation allows parties to resolve their legal dispute before committing significant time, money, and resources to a trial. Mediators are neutral facilitators who help parties discuss issues and find solutions. The Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program is intended to help parties resolve their dispute early and without significant cost. Eligibility for Mediation

Civil lawsuits with amounts in controversy $50,000 or less per plaintiff may be ordered to the Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program at the Court’s discretion, as outlined in California Rules of Court, rule 3.891(a)(1). Parties who voluntarily agree to mediation, regardless of amount in controversy, may stipulate to participate in the Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.891(a)(2).) Where parties stipulate to mediation, the trial court will determine whether to accept the stipulation and order the parties to mediation.

Court-Approved Civil Mediation Panel

The Court collaborates with experienced professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to provide mediation services. The Court’s panel of qualified mediators (the “Panel”) is available on the Court’s website.

Mediation Costs

Court-approved mediators offer three hours of mediation services at no cost to the parties. If the parties wish to continue mediating after three hours, they may pay the mediator directly at their hourly rate.

Selection of Mediator

1. Voluntary Selection: Within fifteen days of being ordered to mediation, litigants (1) select a mutually agreeable mediator from the Panel and schedule the mediation with the mediator; and (2) file a “Stipulation to Mediator and Mediation Date” form, setting forth the mediator’s name, date, and location of the mediation. Parties are free to stipulate to a mediator who is not on the Panel at their own cost. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.893.)
2. Assignment: If litigants do not agree or fail to file the “Stipulation to Mediator and Mediation Date” form within fifteen days of being ordered to mediation, the Court will assign a mediator from the Panel and notify the parties and the mediator. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.893.) The litigants shall have no right to object to the assigned mediator.

Mediation Location

Mediation sessions should take place within the County of Ventura unless all parties and mediator agree on another physical location or remote platform.

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COURT-ORDERED CIVIL MEDIATION PROGRAM INFORMATION

Mediation Participants

All litigants, attorneys, and persons with full settlement authority must attend the mediation unless excused by the mediator pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 3.894.

Mediation Rules

The rules governing mediations are contained within Local Rules 3.24. Parties are expected to read and comply with the Local Rules.

Contact Information

To learn more about the Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program or if you would like to apply to be a mediator, please contact the Civil Mediation Coordinator at VenturaCivilMediation@ventura.courts.ca.gov or 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California 93009. Materials are available on the Court’s website at www.ventura.courts.ca.gov.

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COURT-ORDERED CIVIL MEDIATION PROGRAM INFORMATION