How we can help
Mediation Support
Mediation is a way to address a dispute before or while an issue goes to court. When you have a conflict, try mediation, which can benefit both parties. We recommend two trusted, county-funded mediation service providers, Groundswell (formerly OC Human Relations) and Waymakers.
Groundswell provides up to 8 hours of mediation service to Orange County residents at no charge.* After completing a Mediation Inquiry Form, a case manager will contact you within 2 working days to explain what mediation is (and isn’t). Then you can decide if Groundswell’s mediation services could be helpful in your unique situation. If so, the Case Manager will ask for contact information for the other side so we can contact them to see if they wish to participate. Mediation is always a voluntary process and Groundswell can only proceed with convening a mediation when both parties have agreed to participate.
Most parties who participate in mediation reach a mutually agreeable solution that enables them to put the conflict behind them. However, if the mediation is not successful, parties still have the option to pursue litigation through the courts. We encourage you to try mediation as early as possible in the conflict to minimize the trauma created by the dispute for both parties.
*If parties find they will require more than 8 hours of mediation time, they can discuss adding additional time. If a contract for additional time is initiated, each party to be charged on a sliding-scale fee basis. Please note: Groundswell will not deny service to any party based on an inability to pay.
Waymakers’ Dispute Resolution Services provides mediation services to local community members in the Orange County Superior Court. Once you complete our Dispute Mediation form, we will work with you and the other individual(s) involved to convene a mediation. Please select “Landlord/Tenant” as the mediation topic on the online form. Mediations are scheduled at a location convenient to the participants.
We primarily mediate small claims, civil (including evictions), and community cases. Appointments are available evenings, weekends, and during business hours. We mediate cases through Zoom and in-person at the Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana. Participating in mediation is voluntary and mediation sessions can last anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes.
