Mediation Services
What are Mediation Services?
Mediation is a voluntary, private dispute resolution process in which a trained mediator assists the parties in reaching an outcome that is mutually agreeable.
Mediation tends to be less intimidating, take less time and costs less than arbitration or a court action.
Who can use this service?
Anyone can utilize the service, whether or not the dispute has been filed in court. If legal action is already underway, mediation can be used at any stage of the litigation process and is not limited to San Francisco county courts.
Who are the mediators?
All mediators have met strict educational and mediation experience requirements and are approved by BASF. The average mediator on our panel has 15 years of experience with 125 hours of training.
Costs.
There is a $200 administrative fee per party to pay for the cost of running this program. However, the mediators generously provide one hour of preparation work and two hours of session time free of charge as a service to the court and to the community. Time spent above and beyond the first two hours is billed at the mediator's rate.
Steps.
- Either party can request Mediation Services. Review the Rules of Procedure (15KB
 PDF) and then download and fill out the:
Mediation Consent form (24KB PDF).
- There is a $200 administrative fee per party for the cost of running this program. You must pay this fee when you submit your completed Mediation Consent form. You can pay by check, money order or credit card.
- Check or Money Order: Make checks or money orders payable to BASF / Mediation Services .
- Credit Card: If you wish to use a credit card, please download and complete the:
Mediation Services Charge Form (15KB PDF).
- Mail or fax your completed forms and payment to:
BASF / Mediation Services
301 Battery Street, Third Floor
San Francisco, California 94111
Fax: (415) 989-0381
- Once we receive the administrative fees and forms from both parties, we will review your request and make sure there is no conflict of interest with the mediator.
- We will then send all parties a copy of the mediator's biography, which includes the mediator's rate after the first free three hours (see "Costs" above). You may also request a specific mediator from our panel of mediators.
- You may request a different mediator for any reason by calling:
ADR Services at (415) 982-1600.
- Next, the mediator will contact you to set a mediation date.
- Please show up at the time and date set for your mediation.
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