Eighty percent of disputes brought to mediation are settled. You may want to consider mediation before initiating a Small Claims Court action. However, you may initiate mediation even though you have a Small Claims Court action pending. You can arrange to have your mediation scheduled before your court hearing. Then, if you are satisfied with mediation, you and the other party may decide to forgo the court process.
Mediation is especially helpful in situations where parties have an ongoing relationship.
Information about mediation services in your county is available on the County-Specific Information page.