If timely demand for trial de novo is not made, the arbitrator's award becomes the final judgment and is not reviewable by appeal. Upon making a demand for trial de novo, the moving party shall, unless permitted to proceed in forma pauperis, deposit with the Clerk of Court an amount equal to the arbitration fees paid to the arbitrator. The sum so deposited shall be returned to the party demanding a trial de novo in the event that party obtains a final judgment more favorable than the arbitration award. If the party demanding a trial de novo does not obtain a more favorable result after trial or if the Court determines that the party's conduct in seeking a trial de novo was in bad faith, the sum so deposited shall be paid by the Clerk to the Treasury of the United States. Local Civil Rule 83.10.
Mediation is distinguished from adjudication.
Unlike a judge or arbitrator, a mediator has no power to impose a solution on the parties. The mediator's sole function is to help the litigants resolve their matter consensually. The introduction of a mediator into negotiation can prove to be a remarkable catalyst for settlement. The mediator's role and the mediation process can take various forms, depending on the nature of the dispute and the relationship of the parties. The mediator can often identify options beyond the view of any one party.