What is Mediation?

Mediation is a confidential process in which parties and counsel meet with a neutral third party who is trained in settling disputes. The mediator assists in improving communication across party lines, identifies areas of agreement, and helps parties to generate a mutually agreeable resolution to the dispute. Mediation provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of potential solutions and to address interests that may be outside the scope of the stated controversy or which could not be addressed by judicial action.
 

• If a settlement is not reached during the mediation session, parties may proceed to trial with all appellate rights preserved.
• The mediation program at the Eastern District of New York maintains a panel of more than two hundred and fifty mediators with varying specialties and areas of expertise.
• EDNY Panel Mediators charge $900 for the initial session (up to four hours) and $350 for each additional hour. 

Court annexed mediation at the EDNY is governed by Local Civil Rule 83.8

To reserve conference rooms at the EDNY for the purpose of mediation send an e-mail including the requested date, time, and case index number to nyed_adr@nyed.uscourts.gov