Mediation is an action taken between conflicting parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise. In a mediation, all parties involved in the dispute will have a chance to talk about the dispute and their concerns in a controlled confidential environment. The mediators will help them see the issues clearly, come up with options for a solution, negotiate effectively, and help them reach their own agreement if they choose to do so. The mediators are strictly neutral and will not recommend or impose a solution to the dispute. There is only an agreement if the parties choose so.
Call the Central Texas Dispute Resolution and speak to our mediation coordinators – 512-878-0382. We will listen to your situation, explain the mediation process and answer any questions you might have. We will ask for your contact information, email or address, and send you an intake form.
On the intake form, be as complete as you can with information. Once we receive your intake sheet, we will contact both parties listed and schedule a mediation date that everybody agrees on.
Mediations are usually held over zoom, however in person mediations can be requested.
Mediations are scheduled for 4-6 hours. You need to plan on being in the mediation for the entire block of time. We hold mediations Monday – Friday from 8-5. We do not schedule evening or weekends.
It takes about 3 weeks to schedule your mediation – from the time we get complete information and the intake form.
Mediations are voluntary. We cannot make anyone participate.
If you are interested in beginning the intake process and would like to come to our office you are welcome. Our regular office hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday.
Mediations are usually conducted though Zoom or Teams. In person mediations can be requested in Comal, Guadalupe, Hays or Caldwell Counties.
Mediations typically are scheduled for four or six hours depending on the complexity of the case. Cases normally do consume the scheduled time. The more complex a case, the longer they take. In some cases, multiple sessions might be needed to reach a settlement.
Yes, all that is said and done in a mediation is confidential and protected by state statute. Nothing from the mediation can be repeated outside the mediation or used in a court of law later. Only the final agreement is public after the mediation. Any suspicions of abuse, neglect or exploitation of children, elders or the infirm are outside that confidentiality and must be reported.
The CTDRC settles 65-80% of all cases. This is consistent with the settlement rate at other DRC’s and for mediation in general.
If no agreement is reached, the initiating party will take the MSA, indicating a settlement was not reached back to the court. The Court will notify you of a hearing date.
What happens during mediation will remain confidential. The mediator and Mediation Center are required to keep confidential “all matters, including the conduct and demeanor of the parties and their counsel during the settlement process.”
Our fee structure recently changed please call for current fees.
CTDRC provides dispute resolution services to the underserved and the unserved individuals in our service area. We do have income and family asset criteria for taking cases. This will be discussed in the intake process.
The CTDRC takes all cases from the JP Courts and cases with under $50,000 in dispute from the District Courts and County Courts at Law.
No, the CTDRC cannot give legal advice. We can however refer you to resources to attain legal advice.
You are encouraged to seek legal advice and to bring your attorney if you feel that you need legal assistance during the mediation. You may also call your attorney at any time during the mediation. Some people also seek advice from their insurance agents, accountants or real estate agents during the process. The mediators will not give any kind of advice – legal or otherwise, so it is important that you have the information you need to resolve your dispute to your satisfaction.
Mediators cannot and will not give you legal or financial advice. You have a right to seek legal advice before you come to mediation.
Gather and review any documents, pictures, or evidence that support your side of the case. Examples of documents to bring: contracts, leases, invoices, estimates, letters, pictures, offers of settlement, drawings, canceled checks, bills, etc.
All Court cases MUST respond to the Order for Mediation within 14 days by contacting the CTDRC at 512-878-0382 or office@centexdrc.org
Bring all documents to support your case. If your mediation is by Zoom, you can scan and email the documents to office@centexdrc.org
Think ahead about what you want to say to the other side. Make notes that would help you speak to the other side.
Come prepared with ideas on ways to settle the case that fit into your budget, schedule, and abilities and that will be acceptable to all parties.
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Yes, you can. Please call (512) 878-0382 for more information.
Yes, the DRC offers courses on mediation. Please visit our ‘Training and Events’ link for more information.