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Civil Docket - Civil Mediation Instructions
[Civil] [Criminal] [Family] [Juvenile]

  • Selection of Mediators:  The individual who has been selected to mediate this dispute appear on the mediation scheduling order. By agreement, the parties may choose any other individual to be the mediator of this dispute if the name, address, and the telephone number of the individual is filed with the Clerk within 30 days of the date of the scheduling order.  You are advised that the designated mediator in this case has been found by the Administrative Judge to meet all of the qualifications required by the Maryland Rules of Procedure.  In addition, this individual has agreed not to charge or accept a fee in excess of $150.00 per hour.

    Any party, or attorney representing a party, may file a written motion to have the Court appointed mediator disqualified because of a conflict in the case.  This motion must be submitted within fifteen ( 15) days of the date of this Order and filed with the Clerk. 

    A list of all mediators found by the Administrative Judge to meet the qualifications of the Maryland Rules, as well as the applications of those persons are available in the Office of the DCM Coordinator, Mrs. Marilyn Bentley in Room 401 of Courthouse East.  You may reach Mrs. Bentley at (410) 396-3045.
  • Establishing a Mediation Conference Date and Completing Mediation:  Each party, through his or her counsel, is required to contact the mediator to establish a mediation conference date.  Once a mediation session is scheduled, you must provide 24-hour notice to a Mediator to postpone or cancel the mediation session.  Failure to provide the Mediator with such notice will result in the party(ies) reimbursing the Mediator the costs for two (2) hours of time that the Mediator reserved for conducting the mediation session.  All mediation conference  must be completed by the date set forth on the Scheduling Order.  FAILURE TO COMPLETE MEDIATION WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD MAY SUBJECT THE PARTIES AND/OR COUNSEL TO SANCTIONS INCLUDING CONTEMPT OR REMOVAL OF THE CASE FROM THE TRIAL DOCKET.
  • Exemption from Court Ordered Mediation:  If one or more of the parties believes the need for mediation does not exist in a case, these reasons must be stated in a written motion filed with the clerk within 30 days of the date of this order. FAILURE TO FILE THIS MOTION WITHIN 30 DAYS MAY RESULT IN ITS DENIAL AS BEING UNTIMELY FILED.
  • Attendance at Mediation:  It is mandatory for all attorneys and parties with actual settlement authority to attend and participate in the mediation conference.  Parties and attorneys are hereby notified that failure to attend and participate in the mediation, without further Court Order canceling or excusing such attendance, could result in the imposition of sanctions, fees and costs, as well as, findings of contempt with resulting penalties at a court hearing.  Any insurance carrier, directly or indirectly involved in the outcome of the case, must designate a company representative with settlement authority to attend the mediation conference, unless excused by the mediator.   It is essential to the mediation process that you have in attendance at the mediation the parties or other principals with authority to make settlement decisions.  No more that two (2) hours of mediation will be held in each case unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.
  • Confidential Mediation Conference Statement:  Enclosed with these materials is a Confidential Mediation Statement which shall be fully completed by each party or his/her attorney and provided to the mediator at least  five (5) days prior to the scheduled mediation.  This statement should not be exchanged with opposing counsel or parties in the case.  The Confidential Mediation Statement shall not be filed with the Clerk, and no trial judge will have access to the form.
  • Confidentiality: All written and oral communications made in connection with the mediation conference will be held in strict confidence, and may not be disclosed in any subsequent proceeding.
  • Disposition of Mediation:  If a case is dismissed, a stipulation of dismissal and courts cost must be files with the Clerk's Office immediately.  If the case is settled, a completed settlement order shall be filed with the Clerk's Office immediately.  In addition, the mediator shall file the ADR Data Sheet with the Clerk's Office within seven (7) days of the last session.