FAQS
Mediation has been proven to be a successful process for resolving litigated disputes that benefits the parties as well as the Courts. The Los Angeles Superior Court (“LASC”) Mediation Referral Program (“Referral Program”) was designed to offer qualified and experienced mediators at reduced fees thereby incentivizing parties to use the mediation process.
In 2023, after open bidding, LASC awarded a contract to the Mediation Center of Los Angeles (“MCLA”) to administer Referral Program for reduced fee mediations with a panel of distinguished and highly qualified lawyer and non-lawyer mediators
The Referral Program is limited to cases referred to MCLA by a judicial officer of the LASC. If you were NOT referred by a judicial officer through the LASC Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Office, please send an email to info@www.referral-mcla.org for more information about other options.
If you have been referred to MCLA by a judicial officer, you will receive a Notice of Referral to Mediation from the ADR Office. The Notice of Referral to Mediation includes information on how to submit your case and instructions on what to do if your case settles. After receiving the Notice of Referral to Mediation, you can proceed to submit your case through our website at www.referral-mcla.org under the “Submit Your Case” button
To submit your case, click the “Submit Your Case” button located at the top of the home page. Please fill out the form as completely and accurately as possible, particularly the number of parties involved, their names as well as the names of each attorney and their clients. Inaccurate information may cause a delay in the case being moved forward and assigned to a mediator.
MCLA charges an administrative fee of $150/per party, payable when the case submission is completed. All other parties will receive an invoice for $150 and must pay their fee before the case is assigned to a mediator.
All mediators on the MCLA panel have agreed to provide mediation services at an hourly rate of $300/per hour with a minimum fee of $900. Fees are payable in advance and divided among the parties or as they shall agree. If the parties request more time for the mediation in excess of the first 3 hours, the rate of $300/per hour still applies. Although significant time is spent by the mediator to convene the mediation, to obtain confidentiality agreements, and to review briefs, pleadings and exhibits, parties are only charged for the time in the mediation hearing.
The party who submits the case will be directed to pay when the case submission form is completed after using the “Submit Your Case” button. If you did not submit the case through our website but are a party to a case that has been submitted, you will receive an email with a link to pay your administrative fee of $150. If you have not received the email or have lost the email, please reach out to info@www.referral-mcla.org. You may pay using a credit card or ACH through the provided link.
A fee reduction or waiver may be available to parties who can demonstrate a need for fee reduction and are under financial hardship. The mediator’s fee may also be reduced based on showing need and the agreement of the mediator.
Court Fee Waiver: For matters where a fee waiver has been afforded to a party by the Court, MCLA will waive the administrative fee and the mediator may waive their fee for the first three hours of mediation for the party with a fee waiver. You should submit your request and a copy of your Order on Court Fee Waiver (FW003) to info@www.referral-mcla.org
Request for a Discretionary Fee Waiver: For a party who can demonstrate a material need, but does not have a fee waiver from the court, you may submit a fee waiver reduction request (FW_MCLA001) to MCLA at info@www.referral-mcla.org and MCLA will decide whether (or not) that party qualifies for a waiver or reduction. If a fee waiver or reduction is approved by MCLA, MCLA will adjust its administrative fee appropriately. Additionally, MCLA will seek to assign a mediator who will waive or reduce a proportionate share of the mediator fee.
All administrative fees are non-refundable. If mediation does not take place, notice to the mediator should be made promptly. Each mediator will decide whether to refund a portion of the mediator’s fee on a case-by-case basis.
All panel mediators have been carefully selected by MCLA and meet the highest standards for mediating civil cases. Attorneys on the panel must have more than 10 years of good standing with the State Bar of California and have practiced various specialized areas of law over long careers. MCLA also offers a choice of non-lawyer mediators who have received the MC3 certification.
All panel mediators have extensive training in mediation and experience mediating litigated cases. They have committed to act with the highest ethical standards of the mediation profession and to serve as neutrals with no conflict of interest in all cases. They also meet the required continuing education for mediators. Please view our panel of mediators at the link here: www.referral-mcla.com/mediators
Mediators are independent contractors, not agents or employees of MCLA or the Court. They are paid by litigants, not by MCLA or the Court.
MCLA will review your case submission form and assign a qualified and experienced mediator based on the type of case (pending a conflict-of-interest check).
At the conclusion of the mediation, each party and attorney will receive a short client satisfaction survey. Your comments will help us maintain and enhance the quality of performance by each mediator on the panel. Therefore, MCLA will request the parties and/or their counsel to complete this form. This will measure the level and quality of the administrative services provided by MCLA and the mediation services provided by the mediator, including preparation for, and conducting the mediation.
As MCLA offers affordable mediation to parties across Southern California, we will consider all applicants, including applicants from other major local panels, provided that they agree to the reduced fee mandated by the Court and the terms and conditions for court referred panel mediators.
For a complete list of requirements, please email your resume to info@referral-mlca.org