The County Civil Mediation Program provides mediators to meet with disputing parties. The mediators are trained and certified by the Supreme Court of Florida and are appointed to a case by the court. Mediators are third-party facilitators who help the disputing parties reach mutual and voluntary agreements.
There is no cost to the parties for the services of a mediator for Small Claims Court cases or residential eviction cases; however, there is a fee of $60 per party per scheduled session on all other County Civil cases.
Please call (941) 861-7833 (information for Sarasota and DeSoto Counties) or (941) 749-3660 (information for Manatee County).
"Small Claims Court Self-Help Video" (opens new window)
Attention: Pursuant to SC10-2329, the Florida Supreme Court adopted changes to FRCP Rule 1.720, requiring parties to certify the names of those representatives who will be attending a court ordered mediation, as well as certify that they are appearing with the full authority to settle. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy Committee approved the use of the following Notice of Mediation Attendance and Certification of Authority to assist parties and the legal community in fulfilling their obligation under the new rule. The form is only required in County Court cases above small claims and Circuit Civil matters.
Notice of Mediation Attendance and Certification of Authority
As an alternative, the Citizen Dispute Settlement Program offers an opportunity to settle disputes by attending mediation before filing a Small Claims or County Court lawsuit. Participation in pre-filing mediation is voluntary and is at no cost to either party. See the link below for more information about this program.
Citizen Dispute Settlement Program