The clinic assists parties in person at the Bronx Superior Court, online through New York State’s Presumptive Alternative Dispute Program, and in person and online for claims of employment discrimination through the EEOC. The clinic also helps resolve Columbia University community disputes when at least one party is a university affiliate.
Mediations for Small Claims Cases, Civil Court Cases, or the EEOC
The clinic offers free and confidential dispute resolution for active cases in the Bronx Civil Court, small claims courts across New York City, and the EEOC. The clinic mediates in person at the Bronx Superior Court and virtually for most other cases.
With the help of neutral mediators, the parties in conflict sit down together and generate solutions. Mediators do not decide who is right or wrong. Instead, they help opposing parties communicate and, when appropriate, reach an agreement that respects the needs and interests of everyone involved.
If you have questions or are interested in scheduling a mediation, call the Mediation Clinic office at: 212-854-4291 or email us at: [email protected].
Mediations for the Columbia University Community
The clinic offers free and confidential dispute resolution for members of the university community.
The clinic’s students help resolve a range of campus issues including disrespectful treatment, noise complaints, harassment, assault, discrimination, and property damage. The clinic will take on cases between students, roommates, faculty members, and students, and/or co-workers.
With the help of neutral mediators, the parties in conflict sit down together and generate solutions. Mediators do not decide who is right or wrong. Instead, they help opposing parties communicate and, when appropriate, reach an agreement that respects the needs and interests of everyone involved.
If you have questions or are interested in scheduling a mediation, call the Mediation Clinic office at: 212-854-4291 or email us at: [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Mediation is a free, voluntary and confidential service that helps people who are in conflict reach their own resolution. Instead of asking a judge to make a decision in court, the parties meet with a trained mediator who helps them make their own decision on how to settle the dispute. If a settlement is reached, it is then put in writing and signed. This written settlement then becomes a legal contract that the court can enforce. If the people in the dispute are not able to reach an agreement that is acceptable to everyone involved, they are then free to ask a judge to hear their case and make a decision in court.
Most nonviolent disputes can be mediated. This includes, but is not limited to, money and nonmoney disputes between neighbors, family members, landlords and tenants, customers and businesses, and roommates. Disputes involving community groups and organizations can also be addressed through mediation.
Mediation services are available to people who are involved in disputes that could otherwise be heard and decided in the Civil Court of the City of New York by a judge or arbitrator. This includes small claims, civil claims and some landlord-tenant disputes.
If you have questions, first review the rest of this FAQ page to see if it is answered. If you have further questions, call the Mediation Clinic office at: 212-854-4291 or email us at: [email protected].
- Mediation is free. There are no filing or session fees.
- Mediation is convenient. Day and evening sessions are available.
- Mediation is fast. Sessions are scheduled quickly. A settlement can often be reached in a single one-to-two-hour session.
- Mediation is voluntary. You do not lose any rights by trying to resolve your dispute through mediation before taking your case to court. If a settlement cannot be reached through mediation that is satisfactory to all people involved in the dispute, you are free to pursue your case in court.
- Mediation is confidential. All conversations during mediation sessions are confidential. Mediators cannot be ordered to testify in court regarding the case. All notes taken by the mediator are destroyed at the end of the process.
- Mediation is satisfying. Mediation allows people to express themselves and be heard. It allows people to better understand each other.
- Mediation works. Thousands of people have found mediation to be a more effective way to resolve their disputes. Parties who reach their own settlement through mediation are more likely to comply or follow through with the settlement than if a judgment is imposed.
Our mediation service is completely free. We act as volunteers and do not charge parties anything.
The mediators are experienced volunteers who have received special training in mediating disputes. Some have legal training as well. Although mediators might be lawyers or law students, they cannot give legal advice, or tell you what to do.
Currently, all mediation sessions are held virtually, either on a computer or by telephone. In some circumstances, mediations can be held at the Clinic Office at Columbia Law School upon request.
No. You do not need to have a lawyer or witnesses present in a mediation. Parties are encouraged to speak for themselves and to come up with their own solutions. However, although lawyers are not necessary, they are welcome to participate in the mediation and to help with problem solving.
No. It is strongly recommended that you consult with a lawyer if you need legal information or advice.
Tell the mediator immediately. The mediator will either pause or reschedule the mediation session, depending on how quickly you can get the information or advice you seek.
No. If you do not reach an agreement in mediation, you DO NOT lose your right to have your case heard by a judge in New York City Civil Court.