Mediation Program

The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District launched the Appellate Mediation Program in October 2006 to speed case resolution and to reduce costs to the litigants and the court. Modeled after programs in the First and Fourth Appellate Districts, this program also provides facilities for mediation conferences and offers support staff to assist mediators and the parties.

The program, however, differs in that mediation is mandatory and the process begins immediately with the filing of the notice of appeal. Pursuant to Local Rule 1 of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, any civil appeal lodged with the Court is subject to review for placement in mandatory mediation and the California Rules of Court governing the preparation of the appellate record are suspended pending review of the appeal for amenability to appellate mediation.

Local Rule 1 of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, is the governing rule under which the Mediation Program was enacted, is now conducted, and is the rule that provides authority for the Mediation Program, by Court order, to mandate a stay of preparation of the appellate record, dictate who must attend and participate in this Court’s mediation of any civil appeal deemed suitable for mediation, and the imposition of sanctions for failure of any identified participant to observe the commands of the Court’s order and Local Rule 1. Local Rule 1 can be found under “Forms & Rules” on this website.

BECOMING A MEDIATOR:
Attorneys and retired judges interested in becoming mediators for the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, must be trained by an approved educational provider selected by the Third District. Since its inception in December 2006, the Court has trained over 100 attorneys and retired judges to provide mediation services.

MEDIATOR TRAINING NOTICE:
During years when the Court conducts mediator training sessions, notification is published on the Court’s website, as well as through notice to Courts, Bar Associations, and local legal publications in the 23 counties served by the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. The current mediator panel also has information on any scheduled trainings.

MEDIATOR PANEL APPLICATION:
Training by an educational provider of this Court’s approval is a requirement for inclusion on the Court’s panel. The current application for mediator training, which can be filled out electronically, can be found under “Mediator Application” below.

For more information on the mediation program, click a link to scroll to the relevant section below.

Mediation Program Spring 2012 Training Announcement
Mediator Application
Mediation Forms

Mediator Application

NOTE: MAIL OR FAX THIS APPLICATION WITH YOUR RÉSUMÉ AND ANY OTHER ATTACHMENTS TO:

Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District
Appellate Mediation Program
Rene T. Ackerman, Mediation Coordinator
2890 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95833

Phone (916) 643-7084
Fax (916) 641-6527

Mediation Forms

Abandonment of Appeal (Unlimited Civil Case) Form (APP-005)

Appellant’s Civil Appeal Mediation Statement

Request for Dismissal of Appeal (Civil Case) Form (APP-007)

in fillable PDF format

Respondent’s Civil Appeal Mediation Statement