Requesting a Mediation

Instructions to Request a Mediation

Are you in the midst of a dispute that you can't seem to work out? Are you considering going to court or calling the police to file a complaint? Perhaps you are already involved in a lawsuit.

You can choose to settle the matter quickly, practically and relatively inexpensively through the Dispute Resolution Program of Tarrant County (DRP).

Begin to resolve your dispute today, by following these steps:

Note: If you have a court order to mediate follow the instructions in the court order to set the mediation or contact us at 817-884-2257 or drp@tarrantcountytx.gov.

  1. Read about mediation under our “What is Mediation” tab and decide whether this might be a good option for you.
  2. On the Forms page complete a Request a Mediation form. 
  3. Send the form to the DRP as instructed on the form.
  4. DRP will contact the other party to determine if they are willing to mediate the dispute if you have not already done so.
  5. If the other side agrees to voluntarily go to mediation or if the court has ordered everyone to go to mediation, we will schedule your case for mediation at a time and place convenient to everyone, and a mediator will be assigned.

 

DRP Rules and Policies for the Mediation Process

MEDIATION SERVICES: The mediation will be administered by the Dispute Resolution Program (DRP) of Tarrant County pursuant to Section 154.001 ET. SEQ of the Texas Practice & Remedies Code.

MEDIATOR: The parties recognize that the mediator is a volunteer of the DRP and not an agent or employee of Tarrant County. All DRP mediators warrant that he/she has no financial or personal interest in the result of the mediation and that he/she will act as an impartial facilitator toward resolution of the dispute.

LEGAL ADVICE: Neither the mediator nor DRP of Tarrant County will provide legal advice for any party or participant in the mediation process. The parties have the right, and are encouraged, to consult with legal counsel regarding their rights and obligations.

GOOD FAITH:   All parties in the mediation commit to mediate in good faith by using their best efforts to settle the dispute and by treating all parties with courtesy and respect.

FEES: The fees for the mediation services provided shall be paid directly to the mediator in cash or via a cash app prior to the start of the mediation.

AUTHORITY OF REPRESENTATIVES: All parties or their designated party representative(s) shall have authority to negotiate and settle the dispute, however, it is understood that no party is required to negotiate against their will

CONFIDENTIALITY:  Any confidential information disclosed to a mediator in the mediation will not be divulged by the mediator. Mediation sessions are settlement negotiations and are privileged to the extent allowed by law. The mediator can only report to the DRP and to the referring court that the case settled, or did not settle. Under Texas law, a mediator has obligations to report child abuse or neglect and elder abuse. The mediator and the DRP shall be held harmless from any damage as a result of any such report or disclosure.

TERMINATION OF MEDIATION: The mediation shall be terminated: (a) by the execution of a Mediated Settlement Agreement by the parties, (and the parties shall acknowledge that they should have the settlement agreement reviewed by separate counsel before executing the settlement agreement) (b) by declaration of the mediator that further efforts at mediation are no longer worthwhile; or, (c) after completion of one full mediation session, a party declares that the mediation proceedings are terminated and there is no further mutual agreement among them to continue with the additional efforts at mediation.

 

Fee Schedule

 

Program Participant Fee Eligibility
Juvenile Services Mediation none Juvenile Services referral only.
  • District Court
  • County Court at Law Civil Cases
  • Family Cases
  • Probate Cases

$100 per party for four hours (half day)

$25 per party per hour thereafter (maximum of 4 additional hours)

 

Program eligibility restricted to participants

with a family income of $95,000 or less;

individual income of $50,000 or less;[i]

or under financial hardship.
Justice Court Cases $50 per party No eligibility restrictions for the program. 
Community/Non-Court Mediations $25 per party No eligibility restrictions for the program. 

 

District Court Family or Civil cases shall be paid by the participants at the time of the mediation unless the participants are found as indigent or having financial hardship. Those participants found to be indigent or having financial hardship shall have their fees paid to the mediator by DRP.

If you don’t believe you can pay the fees required, you may apply for assistance here: Application for Fee Assistance Form