This statute instructs chief district court judges and district attorneys to encourage mediation for pending civil and criminal cases for which they determine it is an appropriate alternative to litigation.
North Carolina General Statute 7A-38.5: Community mediation centers
General Assembly of North Carolina. Jul. 22, 1999http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_7A/GS_7A-38.5.pdf