Mediators in District of Columbia

• Court programs and when mediation is required

  The District of Columbia's mediation statute is the Uniform Mediation Act, found in Chapter 42 of Title 16 of the D.C. Code ^[1]. It does not cover mediation by a judge who might decide the case, or mediation about forming or running a collective bargaining relationship ^[2]. Evidence that could otherwise be used does not become protected just because it came up in mediation ^[3]. At the federal District Court in Washington, mediation is voluntary and free: either the parties or the judge can raise it, and the judge then refers the case to the court's program, usually for 60 to 90 days ^[4]. The D.C. At the D.C.

• Family and custody cases

  For special education disputes, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education's Office of Dispute Resolution offers voluntary mediation between parents and schools, and either side may stop and ask for a due process hearing instead ^[8].

• Who can mediate in District of Columbia courts

  The program assigns a mediator from a panel of experienced lawyers chosen by the court, or one of the court's staff mediators, based on qualifications, subject expertise and availability ^[4]. Circuit's Mediation Office runs separate programs for the Court of Appeals, the District Court and the Bankruptcy Court, each under that court's own local rules, and its volunteer panel mediators work pro bono ^[5]. Under Board Rule 566, the Board posts a list of neutrals showing whether each person may serve as a mediator, arbitrator or hearing examiner ^[7].

• Confidentiality

  The Act covers mediation that a statute, court rule or agency rule requires, mediation a court, agency or arbitrator refers parties to, and mediation where the parties and mediator agree in a record that what is said will be privileged ^[2]. In a later legal proceeding, a party may refuse to reveal what was said in mediation and may stop others from revealing it, and mediators and nonparty participants hold similar privileges ^[3]. The sessions are confidential, and the presiding judge is told only about timing and whether the case settled ^[4]. Public Employee Relations Board, complaints may be sent to mediation at the Board's discretion, what is said in the session stays confidential, and matters that do not settle go on to adjudication ^[6].

Summarized from the official sources cited in brackets. Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Court programs change; confirm with your court. This is general information, not legal advice.