- Courthouse
- Location
- Parking
- Public Transportation
- Courthouse Entrances
- Screening Information
- Electronic Device Policy of the U.S. Courts of the D.C. Circuit
- Courthouse Decorum Policy
- Liquids Policy
- Courtroom Locations
- Use of Facilities by Outside Groups
- Inclement Weather Notice
- Cafeteria
- Employment
- Solicitations
- Judges
- Resources & Contacts
- Case Information
- Attorney, Pro Se, and Media
- Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct
- Notice of Change of Address
- Brief Compliance Checklist for Pro Se and Attorney Filers
- Notification of Scheduling Conflicts
- Attorney Admissions Information
- Criminal Justice Act Information and eVoucher
- Information for Litigants Representing Themselves (Pro Se)
- Attorney Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement
- Mediation Program
- Inclement Weather Notice
- Media Information
- Sealed Filings
- Rules & Procedures
- Circuit Rules
- Handbook of Practice and Internal Procedures
- Circuit Rules Proposed Amendments
- Circuit Rules Recent Amendments
- General Notices
- Guantanamo Cases - Orders Having General Application
- En Banc Endorsement of Panel Decisions (Irons Footnote)
- Mandatory Conflict Screening Plan
- Privately Funded Seminars
- Judicial Misconduct
- Site Map
Circuit Mediation Programs - Overview
Within the District of Columbia Circuit, both the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court have dispute resolution programs that provide mediation services in selected cases. These services are offered by the courts, free of charge, to enable the parties in litigation to seek ways to resolve their cases.
The Appellate and District Court Mediation Programs are separate and governed by the local rules of each court. However, both programs are administered by the circuit’s Mediation Program, housed within the Court of Appeals’ Office of the Circuit Executive and headed by the Chief Circuit Mediator. Both programs, which have been in operation for nearly 30 years, utilize a volunteer corps of accomplished, senior lawyers who are also trained, highly-experienced mediators. Our mediators have helped parties resolve a wide range of cases, including single-plaintiff employment matters, small and large-value business disputes, appeals of government decisions, rules and activities, and complex, multi-party cases such as class actions and environmental matters.
Although the rules governing the two programs differ somewhat, over the years the Appellate and District Court Mediation Programs have enabled thousands of litigants to resolve their disputes consensually, thereby avoiding time-consuming, and costly, additional legal proceedings.