Advance Justice Through Community Mediation: Legal Solutions for Systemic Change

This course introduces attorneys and judges to community mediation, a court-connected and community-based solution to legal conflict. Unlike private mediation, which may be costly or inaccessible, community mediation centers are public or nonprofit programs that provide low-cost and locally responsive services. These centers engage trained volunteer mediators who reflect the communities they serve and help parties collaboratively resolve disputes with dignity, empathy, and accountability.

Community mediation reduces physical, linguistic, economic, and cultural barriers to accessing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services by welcoming a variety of disputes. It is particularly effective in high-conflict areas such as family law, elder care, and small business matters. Clients may self-refer or be referred early by courts or community partners, allowing for a timely resolution before disputes escalate. This approach improves client outcomes, reduces court congestion, and builds public trust in the legal system.

Grounded in New York's Article 21A and the Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) model, this course provides a practical guide for attorneys and judges to partner with mediation programs and promote early, community-based conflict resolution. Case examples from Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers (LIDRC) illustrate how community mediation supports legal goals while transforming lives. This course offers principles and practices that are adaptable nationwide and valuable to legal professionals committed to expanding access to justice through low-cost alternative dispute resolution.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify the core values, structures, and services of community mediation, including the role of trained volunteer mediators
2. Describe the historical and legal foundations of the community mediation movement, including its connection to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the national access to justice initiative
3. Apply New York State legal frameworks such as Article 21A, Part 160, and CDRC Standards of Conduct to ethically collaborate with mediation programs
4. Assess the impact of community mediation on legal outcomes, court efficiency, and client satisfaction using case examples from New York
5. Refer appropriate cases to community mediation, prepare clients to participate, and effectively support the process as an advocate or judge