Mediation

The Citizens Dispute Settlement Program (CDSP) of Toledo Municipal Court provides mediation services to the people of Toledo as an alternative means of solving disputes other than the traditional court system. With the help of a neutral third party, participants often reach mutually accepted agreements. In mediation, avenues of communication are opened which permit the participants to more clearly understand themselves, each other, and the situation. Since the participants themselves craft these agreements, there is a greater likelihood that the agreement will be successfully implemented. The mediation process is especially helpful when the participants have an ongoing relationship such as family members, friends, neighbors or business associates.

The staff members of CDSP conduct mediations, as well as attorneys from the Toledo Bar Association who have been trained as mediators and who volunteer their services. Students from the University of Toledo College of Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution class also conduct small claims mediations.

Cases referred to CDSP are those involving misdemeanant behavior such as menacing, criminal damaging, disturbing the peace and theft. CDSP also mediates civil cases such as rent escrow cases, small claims cases and general civil cases with jurisdiction up to $15,000.00.

The CDSP is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is located in Room 444; phone number (419) 245-1951.