Maryland

Rachel Wohl
Director, Maryland Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission
900 Commerce Road
Annapolis, MD  21401
(410) 841-2260

Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO): Excellent site with rules, commission information, contacts, press releases, final draft of the commission’s Practical Action Plan, forms, and more.

Small Claims

Program Overview: District court (civil cases involving less than $25,000) programs in many counties and in Baltimore City offer mediation for civil small claim cases.

Referral: By district court.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Neutrals:

Payment/Costs/Funding: Mediation is free for the parties. Certified court mediators can fulfill their pro bono requirements by mediating cases (including small claims) from the district court. Cases often proceed through community mediation centers as well.

Civil

Program Overview: District court Volunteer Civil Mediation Program and Facilitation available. Some circuit courts (civil cases with disputes of more than $25,000) offer mediation. Also, see the Civil (non-family) Mediation in  Allegany County.

Referral: Discretionary.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Neutrals: In Allegany County, the court keeps a list of approved mediators and cases are referred to one of those mediators, unless the parties can agree on a mediator of their choosing. This is common in most circuit courts in other counties as well.

Payment/Costs/Funding: In Allegany County, cost is $100.00 per hour and sessions cannot last more than 2 hours unless by agreement of the participants. The participants divide the cost and pay the mediators directly.

Circuit courts may offer mediation services at no cost, or low-cost, depending on eligibility of participants.

Family

Program Overview: Mediation limited to custody and visitation.

Referral: Discretionary.

Selection, Qualifications, and Training of Neutrals:

Payment/Costs/Funding: Parties responsible for fees unless court waives them.

Appellate

Program Overview:

Referral:

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Mediators:

Payment/Costs/Funding:

Criminal

Program Overview:

Referral:

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Mediators:

Payment/Costs/Funding:

Juvenile

Dependency:

Delinquency:

Teen Court: 

Truancy:

Restorative Justice Programs

Sentencing Circle:

Victim-Offender:

Probate

Program Overview:

Referral:

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Neutrals: