6-4. Does the court offer appellate mediation, and why should I participate in it?

A. The court has established a Judicial Settlement Program to encourage appellate mediations and settlement conferences. Appellate mediation allows parties to reduce their expenses, and avoid uncertain or unfavorable results. Results often can be achieved through mediation that cannot be accomplished by briefing, argument and decision.

B. The clerk's office routinely sends out Settlement Conference Information Forms (SCIF's) at the beginning of most civil appeals to determine whether the appeal is appropriate for an in-person settlement conference. You also may request that the court send out SCIF's if the court already has not done so. Such a request may be confidential.

C. Unlike other districts, the court does not use outside mediators (such as volunteer attorneys) to conduct appellate mediations at the court, although you are free to do so on your own. If the court initiates a settlement conference, the court will use its own personnel, without cost to the parties, for the settlement conference.

Click here for more information about Division Three's Judicial Settlement Program.