Utah Courts

Finding Legal Help

You are not required to hire an attorney, but legal matters can be complicated. Consider talking to an attorney to go over your options. See the Finding Legal Help page for information about free and low cost ways to get legal help.

Como encontrar ayuda legal

Usted no está obligado a contratar un abogado, pero los asuntos legales pueden ser complicados. Considere la posibilidad de hablar con un abogado para hablar de sus opciones. Para información sobre cómo obtener ayuda legal vea nuestra página Como encontrar ayuda legal.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Mediation/Arbitration
Mediation / Arbitration

ADR Main Page
List of Court Mediation Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Information for Mediators/Arbitrators
Governing Rules and Statutes
About the Court Roster
Court Roster of Mediators/Arbitrators
Divorce Mediation
Glossary of Legal Terms
Utah Mediation Best Practices Guide - PDF

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?

Formal litigation - suing someone in court - has been used to resolve civil disputes for centuries. This traditional method of resolving disputes can be costly and time consuming. Many people don't know that there is another way of resolving disputes without going to court: it's called alternative dispute resolution.

Mediation and arbitration are two alternative dispute resolution processes available through the courts. These methods can be faster, less expensive, and more satisfying than litigation.

Information about Mediation Services

The Alternative Dispute Resolution programs encourage the use of ADR to the extent that it serves the interests of the involved parties. It is not intended to replace traditional litigation, only to supplement it, and to provide more flexibility in resolving disputes. The court has several mediation programs ( PDF Document PDF) overseen by the ADR department. To learn more about medation and arbitration processes please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Mediation Services

If you are a party to a dispute and need information on mediation services please choose one of the following:

My case is in the District Court

I am in the process of filing for a divorce which is contested by my spouse
I am involved in a parent-time dispute which is currently before a 3rd District Court (Salt Lake, Tooele or Summit County) Commissioner/Judge
I am involved in a Probate case in the 3rd District (Salt Lake, Tooele or Summit County)
I am involved in a civil case and would like more information about mediation and arbitration
I have a Law and Motion case currently pending in West Jordan or Bountiful
I am involved in a small claims case currently pending in Justice Court
I am involved in a Landlord/tenant case in the 3rd District
None of the above apply to my case
If your dispute is not involved in a case that is currently pending before the Court, or does not fall under a Court Sponsored Mediation program where a mediator is provided, you may contact a mediator on your own to help resolve your dispute. You can find information on mediators, including fees, by clicking on the name of a mediator or arbitrator on the court roster. If you require financial assistance, there are two non-profit community mediation centers that provide mediation services on a sliding fee scale:
- Utah Dispute Resolution
- Mountain Mediation Center - Summit and Wasatch counties only

My case is in the Juvenile Court

I am involved in a child welfare case involving the Division of Child and Family Services or a private petition that has been filed in the Juvenile Court regarding a protective order, custody, visitation or a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights
I am a victim or offender on a case involving a crime that was committed by a juvenile
I am involved in a truancy case
None of the above apply to my case
If your dispute is not involved in a case that is currently pending before the Court, or does not fall under a Court Sponsored Mediation program where a mediator is provided, you may contact a mediator on your own to help resolve your dispute. You can find information on mediators, including fees, by clicking on the name of a mediator or arbitrator on the court roster. If you require financial assistance, there are two non-profit community mediation centers that provide mediation services on a sliding fee scale:
- Utah Dispute Resolution
- Mountain Mediation Center - Summit and Wasatch counties only

My case is in an Appellate Court
None of the above apply to my case

If your dispute is not involved in a case that is currently pending before the Court, or does not fall under a Court Sponsored Mediation program where a mediator is provided, you may contact a mediator on your own to help resolve your dispute. You can find information on mediators, including fees, by clicking on the name of a mediator or arbitrator on the court roster. If you require financial assistance, there are two non-profit community mediation centers that provide mediation services on a sliding fee scale:

Utah Dispute Resolution

Mountain Mediation Center - Summit and Wasatch counties only

Information for Mediators and Arbitrators

If you are a mediator or arbitrator currently on the court roster or if you are interested in applying to be on the roster please visit the Mediator/Arbitrator section.

The Utah State Courts mission is to provide the people an open, fair, efficient, and independent system for the advancement of justice under the law.

UTAH COURTS