Divorce mediation in New York, NY

How does mediation work in New York County?

Manhattan's District Attorney has a Pathways to Public Safety division whose specially trained prosecutors, placed in each of six Trial Bureaus, screen cases early for diversion, and the office is working to expand Manhattan Mental Health Court [1]. Article VI of the State Constitution places New York County in the First Judicial District [2]. Federal cases belong to the Southern District of New York, which holds court in New York and White Plains [3]. OATH's Center for Creative Conflict Resolution runs MEND NYC, free mediation for disputes between residents and nearby businesses [4]. Most mediators listed below come from the Eastern District's mediation panel and the Southern District bankruptcy court's Register of Mediators [5][6].

1. New York County District Attorney – Reform and Fairness
2. New York State Constitution, Article VI, §§ 6–7 (NYS Department of State, January 1, 2026 edition, PDF)
3. 28 U.S.C. § 112 – New York federal judicial districts (govinfo, 2023 ed.)
4. NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings – MEND NYC
5. U.S. District Court, E.D.N.Y. – Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation panel)
6. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, S.D.N.Y. – Register of Mediators

Fact-checked 2026-10-07. Court programs change; confirm with the clerk.