Mediation
Mediation is a process whereby the parties meet with a person not connected with the case, who is trained in dispute resolution. That mediator will meet directly with the parties at a scheduled time to help them review their matter of dispute and attempt to resolve it without further litigation. After the mediation conference, the mediator files a report with the Court indicating whether the mediation was successful. If the mediation was successful, those issues resolved in mediation will no longer be disputed in the court case.
All counsel are required to attend the mediation with their clients and to be prepared to discuss their settlement position. When a party is insured, defendants and adjusters need to be present for mediations if liability is contested. If liability is NOT contested, only adjusters are required to attend, defendants, may, but need not, attend mediations.
A non-refundable mediation fee of $100.00 per party shall be paid thirty (30) days from the filing of the Pre-Trial Conference Order. Checks should be made payable to the Seneca County Treasurer and mailed to the Judge assigned to the case at one of the following addresses:
Judge Michael P. Kelbley
Seneca County Common Pleas Court
103 E. Market Street, Suite 401
Tiffin, OH 44883
Judge Steve C. Shuff
Seneca County Common Pleas Court
103 E. Market Street, Suite 301
Tiffin, OH 44883
Mediations are generally conducted in the Jury Room on the 3rd or 4th floor of the Seneca County Justice Center, located at 103 E. Market Street in Tiffin, Ohio.