Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division - FAQs
Do I need to have filed a
Court case before I can use your services?
No. Any dispute may be taken to the Community
Information and Referral Program and family disputes may
be taken to the Family
Mediation Program. Those who have civil or small claims
issues often first file with the Court before participating
in mediation.
Do I need to have an attorney?
You do not need to have an attorney to participate
in Multi-Door's programs. However, attorneys often participate
in civil mediation, arbitration, and case evaluation. It is
important to understand that our mediators do not give legal
advice to parties, do not represent them in Court, and do
not make reports to the Court about the discussions that take
place in mediation sessions. If you choose to have the assistance
of an attorney in your matter, the mediator assigned to your
case will explain how your attorney can be integrated into
the ADR process.
How much does it cost to
use one of your programs?
Multi-Door's services are free to anyone who
lives in the District of Columbia. To get the most out of
our programs, you are expected to make a good-faith effort
- including attention, thought and self-reflection -
to resolve your dispute in a manner that considers everyone
concerned.
What if mediation or another
form of ADR doesn't work in my case?
If you are unable to reach a resolution of your issues
through Multi-Door, the mediator assigned to your case will
talk with you about what some of your possible next steps
might be. Although we believe that the ADR process gives many
parties the best opportunity to reach a satisfactory, sensible
and lasting resolution to their disputes, it is not the best
forum for everyone.
How can I find out more about
the different Multi-Door programs?
In addition to the information available here on
the website, feel free to call us any time with your questions,
or drop by during our business hours.
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