Rule 14 Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules of the Small Claims Division of the District Courts

If you're involved in a small claims case, the judge has the power to send you and the other party to mediation before your case goes to trial. Mediation is a process where a neutral person helps both sides talk through the dispute and try to work out an agreement on their own.

The court gets to decide the specific terms of this mediation, like when it happens and how it's set up. If the judge orders you to take part, you're expected to participate. This gives both sides a chance to settle the disagreement without needing a full trial, which can save time and reduce stress for everyone involved.

If you're ordered into mediation, it doesn't mean you're giving up your right to have a judge decide your case later. It just means the court wants you to try working things out first.