Did you know that you may be able to resolve your dispute through mediation? Mediation is a free, voluntary and confidential service that helps people who have a dispute to reach their own settlement. Instead of asking a judge to make a decision in court, the people meet with a trained mediator who helps them make their own decision on how to settle the dispute. If a settlement is reached, it is then put in writing and signed. This written settlement then becomes a legal contract. If the people in the dispute are not able to reach an agreement that is acceptable to everyone involved, they are then free to ask a judge to hear there case and make a decision in court.

For more information, contact Andrew D. Lewis, Mediation Services Coordinator for New York City Civil Court, at mediationcivil@courts.state.ny.us or 646-386-5772. You may also read more about mediation in the publication “Resolving Your Case Through Mediation.”