WHAT IS MEDIATION?

Mediation is a voluntary process where people meet with neutral mediators in a confidential setting, to resolve conflicts without having to utilize the court system to dispose of the disputes.  Attorneys for the parties may be present, but it is not necessary to have an attorney present.

WHO CAN BE HELPED BY MEDIATION?

Types of Civil Disputes Accepted:

Neighbors                                           Probate                                   Threats/Assaults

Business                                             Contract                                   Uninsured Motorist

Families                                              Personal Injury

Restitution                                           Landlord/Tenant

Child Welfare Cases                         Employers/Employees

Special Education Mediation           Consumer/Merchant

Mediations can be conducted in English and Spanish and the facilities in both offices are wheelchair accessible.

WHAT HAPPENS IN MEDIATION?

Mediations are scheduled at a convenient time for all parties.  Cases are heard   on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the Neighborhood Justice Office.  Cases that have been filed in court or have been court-ordered to mediation are heard during the daytime at the El Paso County Courthouse.

In mediation, trained pro bono mediators give everyone a chance to tell his or her side of the dispute without interruption.  The mediators then help the parties to design their own solutions to the problems.  The entire proceeding is confidential, and notes taken during the session are destroyed at the conclusion of the session.  Tape recording is not allowed.  Information or notes taken during the mediation are not to be used for the purpose of Discovery in litigation.  If an agreement is reached, the mediators will draft an agreement, and have the complainant(s) and respondent(s) sign the agreement.  The mediator(s) will sign the agreement and provide copies of the agreement to each party. 

WHY DOES MEDIATION WORK?

Mediation works because it is voluntary.  With the assistance of impartial mediators, the parties are able to come to a lasting agreement.  When parties shape the agreement themselves, they are more likely to comply with the terms of that agreement.  Each party wins because each party participates.    

HOW MUCH DOES MEDIATION COST?

 A $20.00 non-refundable filing fee is required at the time the mediation request is filed. There is no charge for a person who is unemployed, on a limited income, or has already filed a lawsuit.  Family cases involving divorce, child custody or child visitation that have been court-ordered to mediation are assessed a $100.00 filing fee per spouse.

WHO WILL MEDIATE THE DISPUTE?

The El Paso County Dispute Resolution Center’s mediators are highly trained volunteers.  They include active and retired professionals from a variety of fields including education, business, law, government, and human services.  In accordance with Texas statute, mediators train for a minimum of 40 hours in basic mediation skills.  An additional 24 hours of training in Family Dynamics is required to mediate cases involving divorce, child custody, and visitation issues.  However, by local rules, a more extensive 32 Hour Family Mediation training is offered.   Mediators must also take the 4 hour of Children Cope With Divorce class offered by the YWCA.  Refresher courses are also required.

HOW DO I ARRANGE FOR A MEDIATION?

Call 533-4800 or 546-8189 or come by the El Paso County Dispute Resolution Center offices.  Bring pertinent names, addresses and phone numbers that are necessary to arrange the mediation session.  All parties will be notified and the date and time of the mediation will be confirmed.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

32 Hour Family Training