The City of Kansas City, Mo., offers Mediation and Dispute Resolution Services to citizens seeking an alternative means to settling minor criminal and civil disputes. Participation is free and does not require participants to hire a lawyer.
What is mediation?
Mediation is an informal VOLUNTARY process that allows two or more disputing parties the opportunity to resolve their conflict through the help of a neutral third party known as a mediator.
What is the goal of the mediation?
The goal is to provide an informal and confidential process for helping disputing parties find mutually agreeable terms where all parties win. The mediator’s role is not to impose a decision on the parties. Rather, the mediator helps the parties agree on mutually acceptable solutions. Settlement terms reached and agreed upon by the parties are documented in the form of a written agreement which is signed by all parties involved.
What are the benefits of mediation?
Mediation has a proven track record of success as an alternative to violence, involving the police or court litigation, because it is:
- Fair: The agreements reached are created by the participants.
- Fast: Mediation sessions are scheduled within a few weeks of filing a complaint, avoiding opportunities for the conflict to escalate further and saving time delaying court dates.
- Cooperative: The mediators work to make sure parties are in a safe and non-disruptive environment.
- Confidential: All discussions during mediation are kept confidential. Sessions are not tape recorded or transcribed. Notes taken during the session are discarded.
- Cost efficient: There is no cost to the parties.
- Impartial: To ensure neutrality, trained mediators who have no stake in the outcome or prior knowledge of the parties conduct the mediations. The mediator does not decide who is right or wrong and does not impose a settlement on either side. Instead, the mediator helps parties explore options and reconcile differences.
What types of situations are appropriate for mediation?
Any type of situation where the disputants have the likelihood of an ongoing relationship or need a neutral third party who can help them create terms to dissolve a relationship harmoniously. Situations involving neighbors, home associations, landlords, tenants, employees, employers, spouses, domestic partners, family members, friends, students, contractors, consumers, business owners and other various categories are appropriate for mediation.
How does the mediation program work?
- Once a request for mediation is received from the initiating party, a trained mediator will contact both parties about participating in a voluntary mediation session.
- If all parties agree to mediate, the mediator will schedule a time and place for the session to be held. Most sessions are scheduled within 30 days of filing a case.
- During the mediation, all parties are given an opportunity to discuss their concerns and what they would like to see happen to resolve those concerns and settle the matter.
- The mediator helps the parties identify the issues that are in dispute, focusing on the parties needs, interest and future mutually satisfactory solutions.
- Agreements reached are documented with all the points made by the parties and written up for signature. The parties receive a copy of the final agreement.
How long does a mediation session take?
The mediators are willing to work with the parties as long as it takes them to reach an agreement. Most sessions last between one and four hours. A second session can be scheduled if necessary.
What do I need to do to utilize the service?
Contact the: Human Relations Department
414 E. 12th St.
4th floor, City Hall
(816) 513-1836
www.kcmo.org
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening sessions can be arranged. People with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations please contact the City’s ADA specialist at (816) 513-2533. If you need to use the relay service, please dial 711.
