Court mediation
Resolve disputes before — or instead of — going to court
We work with the courts and community members to provide mediation as a faster, less costly, and more empowering alternative to litigation.
What is court mediation?
Court mediation is a structured, voluntary process in which a trained, neutral mediator helps parties in a legal dispute reach a mutually acceptable agreement — without a judge deciding the outcome for them.
Mediation Services of North Central MA partners with local courts to offer mediation for a wide range of civil, housing, and small claims matters. Cases may be referred by a judge or clerk, or parties may request mediation on their own.
Types of cases we handle
Housing & landlord-tenant
Eviction proceedings, lease disputes, security deposit disagreements, and habitability complaints.
Small claims
Disputes over money, property damage, unpaid debts, and consumer complaints filed in small claims court.
Neighbor & community disputes
Noise, property boundaries, shared spaces, and other neighbor conflicts that have escalated to court.
Civil & contract matters
Business disagreements, contract disputes, and other civil matters where parties seek a negotiated resolution.
Family & probate
Estate disputes, guardianship disagreements, and family matters referred by the probate and family court.
Harassment prevention
Matters involving harassment prevention orders where parties are willing to engage in a facilitated dialogue.
Why choose mediation over litigation?
How court mediation works
Referral or request
A judge or clerk refers your case to mediation, or you request it directly. We contact all parties to schedule a session.
Pre-mediation preparation
Our coordinator explains the process, answers your questions, and ensures everyone understands what to expect.
Mediation session
A trained mediator meets with all parties — together or separately — to facilitate open communication and explore solutions.
Agreement or next steps
If an agreement is reached, it is written up and may be submitted to the court. If not, the case returns to the normal court process.
Common questions
Ready to explore mediation for your court case?
Contact us to learn whether your case is a good fit for mediation, or ask your judge or clerk about a referral.