Supreme Court ADR

The Supreme Court offers mediation as an opportunity to resolve appeals through the use of alternative dispute resolution. Mediation is voluntary, and cases are subject to screening for eligibility. If a case is eligible for mediation, the clerk of the Supreme Court will provide the appealing party with a mediation agreement form. For a list of ineligible case types, please refer to Supreme Court Rule 12A.

Requesting Mediation

To request mediation, submit the completed mediation agreement form  to the Supreme Court clerk's office within 15 days of the acceptance order. Send a copy of the completed form to all parties. All parties must agree to mediation. An order will be issued by the clerk to refer the case to the Office of Mediation and Arbitration (ADR Office) and to impose a fee of $225.00 per party.

Cost of Mediation

Mediation costs $225 per party unless the court determines otherwise. 

Timeline of the Process

1. Supreme Court reviews the appeal and issues an acceptance order with information concerning mediation eligibility.
2. A completed mediation agreement form is submitted by the appealing party.
3. The Supreme Court issues an order referring the case to the ADR Office.
4. The case is suspended at the Supreme Court for 90 days.
5. Parties submit the mediation fee along with the following completed forms to ADR Office:
   1. Confidential statement form 
   2. Party information form
6. ADR Office selects a mediator and schedules a mediation session.
7. Parties receive notice of date, time, and location of mediation.
8. Within 15 days after mediation, the mediator files a report with the Supreme Court.
9. If the case settles, then the appellant will withdraw the appeal. Further action may be required prior to withdrawal.
10. If the case does not settle, then the appeal will continue.