The St. Clair County Foreclosure Mediation Program was designed to alleviate the costs incurred by borrowers, lenders and taxpayers caused by residential mortgage foreclosures. The program consists of pre-mediation and mediation conferences in which the plaintiff must participate, should the defendant homeowner elect to enter the program. Parties in the program are not prohibited from litigating their case if the mediation is unsuccessful, but all discovery and motions must wait until after the mediation is complete. Parties are required to participate in good faith, and a report to the court may be issued explaining the nature of any failures to do so. To work with the program, mediators must be retired judges or certified mediators who have participated in foreclosure mediation training.