The Supreme Court of North Carolina has amended seven rule sets that affect mediation in North Carolina. The amended rules are effective as of March 1, 2020. 

The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission is tasked with certifying and regulating mediators who serve the courts of this state and implementing the rules and standards of professional conduct adopted by the Supreme Court.

“The Commission is very excited the amended rules and standards are now in effect,” said Dispute Resolution Commission Executive Director Tara Kozlowski. “We are confident that the amended rules and standards, adopted by the Supreme Court, will continue to facilitate successful mediation practices across the state of North Carolina.”

The Supreme Court adopted the amended rules in conference on January 23. All orders that amend the mediation rules, as well as an up-to-date codification of the rule sets, are posted on the Supreme Court’s rules webpage.

• Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission
• Standards of Professional Conduct for Mediators
• Rules for Mediated Settlement Conferences and Other Settlement Procedures in Superior Court Civil Actions
• Rules for Settlement Procedures in District Court Family Financial Cases
• Rules of Mediation for Matters Before the Clerk of Superior Court
• Rules of Mediation for Matters in District Criminal Court
• Rules of Mediation for Farm Nuisance Disputes

Thousands of disputes between individuals, family members, corporations, small businesses, governmental agencies, and others are brought before North Carolina civil and criminal courts each year. Mediation and other conflict resolution processes can help reduce the demands on the trial courts and improve efficiency. Many disputes are effectively addressed and resolved by the parties themselves with the help of a trained mediator without the need to involve the police or the court system.

Of the cases mediated in FY 2018-19, more than 60.2% of civil superior court cases and more than 71.8% of family financial cases were settled. 

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The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC), established in October 1995, is charged with certifying and regulating private mediators who serve the courts, and also recommends policy, rules and rule revisions relating to dispute resolution in North Carolina courts. The 17-member Commission is chaired by Judge William Webb and includes members appointed by all three branches of government.

Pictured above (left to right): Chief Justice Cheri Beasley and NCDRC Executive Director Tara Kozlowski.