Mediation is a process in which two or more people involved in a dispute meet in a private, confidential setting and, with the help of a neutral person (a mediator), work out a solution to their problem. It is an informal and non-adversarial process designed to assist the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement.
The 15th Judicial Circuit's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program was initiated in 1984 with the Family Mediation Program. This was expanded in 1989 to include a Circuit Civil Mediation Program and in 1992 to include a Juvenile Dependency Mediation and a County Civil Mediation Program.
A mediation conference offers parties an opportunity to negotiate a voluntary agreement without prejudicing their right to court should they be unable to agree upon a solution. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Office (ADRO) utilizes trained, neutral,certified mediators who assist the parties in negotiating a reasonable solution. The effectiveness of such mediation programs have resulted in substantial savings of court time and resources, savings in attorney's fees for the litigants and improved public trust and confidence in the Courts.
Related Administrative Orders
2.801-9/08 (Alternative Dispute Resolution Office) 
2.802-9/08 (Arbitrators)
2.803-9/08 (County Court Civil Mediation Program)
2.804-9/08 (Circuit Court Civil Mediation)
2.805-9/08 (Juvenile Dependency Mediation Program)
2.806-9/08 (Juvenile Domestic Violence Mediation Program)
2.807-9/08 (Fee Schedule for Family Court Mediation)
5.207-9/08 (Temporary Relief in Family Division)
5.208-9/08 (Family Mediation)
Related Florida Statutes:
Ch 39.01, 39.307, 39.4075, 39.521, 39.601
Ch 44.1011, 44.102, 44.104, 44.106, 44.107, 44.108
Ch 61.16, 61.183
Frequently Asked Questions
Services Provided
The following services are provided by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Office:
Circuit Civil Mediation Circuit Civil mediation includes civil cases (other than family law cases) with damages of $15,000 or greater. Cases are directed to mediation by court order prior to the case being set for trial. The parties select an independent mediator who will charge an hourly rate to be paid by the parties. A list of certified Circuit Civil mediators can be found at www.flcourts.org[External Link]under Self Help-Mediator Search.
County Civil Mediation
County Civil mediations encompass both Small Claims cases ($5,000 or less) and County Civil cases (less than $15,000).
County Civil cases involving between $5,000 to $15,000 are ordered to mediation prior to the case being set for trial. The alternative Dispute Resolution office is staffed by full-time and part-time mediators who provide county civil mediation services.
Small Claims cases of $15,000 or less are directed to mediation at the Small Claims pretrial conference. This mediation is done at no charge to the parties, by private mediators who volunteer their time.
Family Mediation
Family mediation includes all cases filed in the Family Division, including dissolutions of marriage, child custody and visitation, modifications, support, paternity, equitable distribution and alimony. Family court mediation is staffed by full-time and part-time family mediators. Most of the family mediators are also certified juvenile dependency court mediators.
Juvenile Mediation
Juvenile mediation is used in dependency court proceedings to negotiate agreements in abuse, neglect , abandonment and termination of parental rights cases.
Cost of Services
Mediation conducted by staff of the 15th Judicial Circuit costs from zero (for indigent litigants), to $60 or $120 per person per mediation session in family cases, depending upon the combined net income of the parties. In Family cases, if the combined net income of the parties exceed $100,000 annually, the parties will be required to obtain mediator services from an independent mediator who will charge an hourly rate to be paid by the parties. A list of certified Family mediators can be found at www.flcourts.org[External Link] under Self Help-Mediator Search.
A juvenile dependency mediation is provided without cost by the staff of the Alternative Dispute Resolution office for the 15th Judicial Circuit.
For County Court small claims cases (cases which are $5,000 or less) there is no charge since the mediators are private citizens who, after becoming certified by the State of Florida in county mediation, volunteer their time to assist the courts.
County Civil cases involve cases with damages of more than $5,000 but less than $15,000. The staff of the 15th Circuit Alternative Dispute Resolution office offers County Civil mediation services for a cost of zero (for indigent litigants and eviction cases.
Circuit Civil mediation includes civil cases (other than family law cases) with damages of $15,000 or greater. Circuit Civil cases are directed to mediation by court order prior to the case being set for trial. The parties select an independent mediator who will charge an hourly rate to be paid by the parties. Mediators can be retired judges from any jurisdiction, attorneys admitted to practice in Florida or other qualified professionals. Private mediators usually charge anywhere from $100.00 per hour to $350.00 per hour or more. A list of certified Circuit Civil mediators can be found at www.flcourts.org[External Link] under Self Help-Mediator Search.
Related Links:
