District of Columbia
Summary
The following summarizes statewide court ADR rules and policies. For ADR in a local jurisdiction, see the local court’s website.
Note: This is a summary of state court ADR in the District of Columbia. Authority for federal court ADR is found in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998. Information on federal court ADR rules and procedures can be found on each court’s website. Any studies or evaluations involving federal court ADR in the District of Columbia can be found in RSI’s Research Library and in Reports below.
State Legislation
- District of Columbia Code 16-2821 et seq: Medical Malpractice Mediation
- District of Columbia Code 16-4201 et seq: Uniform Mediation Act
- District of Columbia Code 16-4401 et seq: Uniform Arbitration Act
- District of Columbia Code 42-815.02: Foreclosure Mediation
Statewide Court ADR Rules and Policies
State Office of Court ADR:
- No full-time state court ADR office.
Additional Information
Although there is not a central ADR office for the entire Washington, D.C., court system, the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division administers ADR programs for the D.C. Superior Court.
Statutes
Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998
U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code, Oct. 1, 1998Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This act authorizes each United States District Court to require litigants in all civil cases to consider the use of ADR process. It provides the framework by which each district court should promulgate procedures and rules regarding the ADR process ...
District of Columbia Code 42-815.02: Foreclosure Mediation
Council of the District of Columbia. Jan. 1, 2019Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Under this statute, parties are required to participate in mediation after a homeowner has received notice of default on a residential mortgage. The statute includes information on the timeframe for mediation, fees, and appeals. ...
District of Columbia Code 16-2821 et seq: Medical Malpractice Mediation
Council of the District of Columbia. Mar. 14, 2007Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: These set of statutes outline the procedure for medicial malpractice mediation. Under these statutes the court shall require parties to mediate in cases where the healthcare provider is accused of medical malpractice. Unless otherwise agreed to by th...
District of Columbia Code 16-4201 et seq: Uniform Mediation Act
Council of the District of Columbia. Apr. 4, 2006Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Under this statute, communication in mediation is confidential, with some exceptions, and a mediator must disclose any conflict of interest to the parties. The statute also addresses issues of participation and international commercial mediation, amo...
District of Columbia Code 16-4401 et seq: Uniform Arbitration Act
Council of the District of Columbia. Feb. 27, 2008Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: These statutes are the revised Uniform Arbitration Act and govern an agreements to arbitrate made on or after February 27, 2008. In agreements to arbitrate, parties may agree to an arbitrator. If an arbirator has not been selected by the parties than...
Rules
Superior Court of the District of Columbia Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division Mediator Handbook
Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division. Jan. 1, 2016Resource Type: Guide
Abstract: This handbook is to be used by mediators and other neutrals that serve in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ADR Programs. The handbook covers training information and various mediation programs and their policies. ...
Superior Court of the District of Columbia Small Claims and Conciliation Branch - Rules for Conciliation
Superior Court for the District of Columbia. September 7, 2007; current as of January 1, 2012Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under these rules, the judge shall hold himself ready to conciliate the differences of the parties to any dispute or controversy. Such conciliation may take place upon application of one or more parties, though notice must be given to any parties whi...
Superior Court of the District of Columbia Civil Arbitration Program Rules
Superior Court for the District of Columbia. Oct. 1, 1998Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under these rules, all civil cases are eligible for assignment to the civil arbitration program, with some listed exceptions. The judge may assign a case to arbitration at any time, though a party may motion for removal from the program for good caus...
Reports
District of Columbia Courts Annual Reports
District of Columbia Courts. Jan. 1, 2019Resource Type: Report
Abstract: These reports discuss the DC Superior Court Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division's programs. Topics surveyed include program history, statistical summaries of case types, and settlement rates. Details of family court dispute resolution activities, ...
Improving an Effective Program: A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Child Protection Mediation Program
Shack, Jennifer; Sitko, Robert. Jun. 30, 2018Resource Type: Evaluation
Resource Type: Mediation Efficacy Study
Abstract: In Washington, D.C., child protection mediation is mandatory at the outset of a case. Natural parents, their attorneys, a government attorney, the children’s attorney and the social worker meet with the goals of making progress on the legal issues in...
ADR in the Federal District Courts: An Initial Report
Stienstra, Donna. Nov. 1, 2011Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report describes the use of ADR in the federal courts. Twelve years after the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act required federal courts to provide ADR services for all civil cases, every federal district court has authorized at least one form o...
Foreclosure Mediation Programs Funding: A Review of 24 Currently Operating Foreclosure Mediation Programs
Kulp, Heather Scheiwe. Jan. 26, 2011Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report describes the structure and funding of foreclosure mediation programs in 24 states. It also reviews how compensation is provided, if at all, for program staff, mediators and attorneys for borrowers. An executive summary of this report is...
Mediation in Child Protection Cases: An Evaluation of the Washington, D.C. Family Court Child Protection Mediation Program
Gatowski, Sophia I. et al. Apr. 5, 2001Resource Type: Evaluation
Resource Type: Mediation Efficacy Study
Abstract: This is a comparative study of an early child protection case mediation program in the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, Superior Court of the District of Columbia, from January 1, 2002, to September 30, 2002. The study looked at the impact of ...
Assessment of the Mediation Program of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Daniela, Johnnie; Administrative Conference of the United States. Apr. 1, 1995Resource Type: Study
Resource Type: Mediation Efficacy Study
Abstract: Mediation participants and mediators were surveyed for this study. The study found that more attorneys were dissatisfied (32%) with the settlement in mediation than satisfied (29%). However, more than twice as many parties (63%) were satisfied than a...
Hard Cases, Vulnerable People: An Analysis of Mediation Programs at the Multi-Door Courthouse of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Fix, Michael; Harter, Philip J.. Jan. 1, 1992Resource Type: Study
Resource Type: Mediation Efficacy Study
Abstract: This report is the result of a study of two programs at the Multi-Door Courthouse in Washington, DC: the Domestic Relations and Civil II mediation programs conducted from 1987-1989. Through the examination of court records and telephone interviews of...
Contacts
Washington, DC, Superior Court Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division
Jan. 1, 2019Resource Type: Program
Abstract: The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division is the dispute resolution center for the DC Superior Court. It has programs for small claims mediation, family mediation and civil dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, case evaluation), as well as a c...