The mediator meets with everyone in an opening discussion, which is called a joint session. During that meeting, everyone has an opportunity to say what they believe are the important points of the dispute. Each side then has an opportunity to add additional information in response to what was said earlier in the joint session. As the mediation continues, the mediator may have discussions with everyone or with each side (attorney and client) privately. The private meetings are called private caucuses. The parties may explore possible solutions together or privately. The clients with their attorneys will assess the options available to resolve the dispute and will negotiate solutions with the other parties.

The mediator will listen to all perspectives, clarify communications between the parties, help both sides understand the other side’s perspective and help the parties explore options to resolve the case. Sometimes these discussions will be with everyone in the same room. At other times, the mediator will speak with each side (attorney and client) alone.

Unlike the judge and jury, the mediator does not decide the outcome of the case. The mediator is an attorney, but will not give you advice or opinions about your case. Your attorney will give you such advice and opinions.

The goal of mediation is to allow the parties and their counsel (rather than a judge or a jury) decide the outcome of the case. The parties are actively involved in the process. They will listen with their attorney to the other side’s perspective. They will work through the analysis of both the case and the options to settle with their attorney. The clients on both sides, with the assistance of their attorneys, ultimately decide whether to settle the case and the terms of that settlement. If the parties come to an agreement, the parties and their attorneys write a summary of that agreement before they leave the mediation. A copy of that summary is given to each of the parties. The summary remains private. It is not filed in the public court file. The mediator will advise the Court who attended the mediation, whether a settlement was reached and if it did not settle, whether the case will continue in mediation or be returned to Court for further proceedings. The mediator does not communicate any other information to the Court. If you do not presently have an attorney, you are urged to consult with an attorney. Clients who are representing themselves should also review the Information for Attorneys.

You are not required to settle your case, but you should come to the mediation willing to discuss the possibilities of settlement. Your case remains on the Court’s schedule as it had been before the case was referred to mediation. If you do not settle your case, then the case will continue on the schedule defined for it by the Court.

All parties, their attorneys, and insurance company representatives (if any) are ordered by the Court to attend the mediation. An attorney or other individual chosen by a party may participate in the mediation.

Unlike a trial, mediation is conducted in a private setting. Ohio law protects mediation communications from disclosure in court proceedings. Certain legal exceptions to this protection exist, such as threats of harm, admissions of crimes, or admissions of abuse. Generally, no one who participates in the mediation may reveal mediation communications in any court proceeding unless both the speaker and all parties agree.

If the parties want to be sure that no one reveals mediation communications outside of the court setting, they may enter into a confidentiality agreement before the mediation.

The mediator will not discuss your case with anyone, including the judge, except to say that you met and whether an agreement was reached.

If you are or have been a victim of domestic violence with any other party to the case, your attorney must advise the mediator. If you do not have an attorney, please call the Mediation Office prior to the mediation.

In mediation, your attorney and you will help define more possible solutions. Both sides work to construct a resolution that more effectively meets the needs of both sides. If you do settle, then you eliminate the risk of losing your case or getting a judgment that is less acceptable than an agreement negotiated by your attorney with your input. If you settle your case, you save money and time that would be necessary for a trial. Mediation discussions are less confrontational than a trial. 

If you choose to go to trial, then you must accept the judge or jury’s decision, unless your attorney advises you that an appeal would be appropriate.

All civil cases may be referred to mediation at any time after the Answer has been filed. The Court may issue the referral order on its own motion, upon the motion of counsel (See Attorney Referral to Mediation Instructions) or upon referral by the mediator. Before the initial pre-trial conference in a case, counsel may discuss the appropriateness of mediation with their clients and with opposing counsel. At the initial pre-trial and subsequent conferences, the Court may explore with the parties and counsel the possibility of using mediation. The case is referred to mediation by order of the Court. Cases are scheduled for a time convenient to everyone involved. If your case is a foreclosure case, borrowers can request mediation by filing the form Borrower’s Request for Mediation with the Foreclosure Magistrate or Judge assigned to the case.

Before the date of the mediation, talk to your attorney. Together, you should think about what your goals are; what has kept you from settling; what criteria you will use to evaluate offers presented at the mediation; and what the other side is likely to need to resolve the case. You should also evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case, the costs of going to trial, and the potential risks of going to trial. A Client Mediation Preparation Guide on this website is available to help you prepare for that discussion with your counsel. If your case is a foreclosure, you also would want to complete the Borrower’s Worksheet.

You should plan to meet your attorney at the Mediation Office fifteen minutes prior to your mediation. You should plan approximately three hours for the mediation. If your case is a worker’s compensation or foreclosure case, you should plan about two hours for the mediation.