A mediator is a neutral third-party, trained to help people talk about their court case, and when appropriate, reach an agreement that meets everyone’s needs. Mediation is available on the trial date at the courthouse for most District Court civil cases. If you would like to try mediation for your case on your trial date, please ask the courtroom clerk, the bailiff, or the judge if a mediator is available. If a mediator is available, your case may be sent to mediation. If the case is not resolved in mediation, the case goes forward to trial.
Mediation for your Failure to Pay Rent or other Landlord and Tenant case may be available at the District Court for Baltimore City, 501 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201. Contact the District Court ADR Office to find out more at 410-260-1676.
Don’t have a case in District Court?
Or, your case is not scheduled on a day and time when mediators are typically available?
Click here to find a mediator for your dispute: https://mdcourts.gov/macro/findingmediator
The Baltimore City District Court piloted a rent court mediation program from April to September 2016. Here are the highlights of that highly successful pilot.
81% Settlement Rate
85% of the landlords and tenants who were referred to mediation took part in the pilot. Of those who took part, 81% reached agreement.
Praise for Mediation
Landlords and tenants both reported positive mediation experiences.
- 83% felt heard by the other side.
- 92% had enough time to say what they wanted to say.
- 88% discussed all of the issues that brought them to court.
- 81% did not feel pressured to reach an agreement.
- 86% would suggest the ADR process to others.
- 89% of participants were satisfied with the mediation.
- 85% are glad the ADR services are available.
Failure-to-pay rent cases have the second highest settlement rate in mediation of all civil case types in District Court.
Why Offer Mediation?
Recent research sponsored by the Maryland Judiciary concluded that participants in District Court alternative dispute resolution (ADR) were more likely to report that they could express their thoughts and their concerns; all of the underlying issues came out; and, the issues were resolved. Additionally, participants who reached an agreement in ADR were more likely to be satisfied with the judicial system than those who did not engage in ADR. These findings encouraged the Court and the ADR Office to explore expanding mediation services in Baltimore City to improve the rent court experience.
Why Rent Court?
Mediation can address issues that are not addressed in rent court. For example, in summary ejection proceedings, issues before the court are limited to whether rent is due and owing and, if so, how much. An adverse decision for a tenant, such as a default or consent judgment, can lead to eviction and can damage credit history and affect rental applications. On the other hand, a judgment in favor of a landlord does not resolve habitually late payments or general communication challenges.
The District Court of Maryland continually strives to provide the most positive litigant experience for all who use the court. The success of the rent court pilot mediation program illustrates the value and benefits of dedicating mediation resources to failure-to-pay rent cases in the District Court of Maryland in Baltimore City.
Click here to read the full report.
Information gathered from the Report on the 2016 Rent Court ADR Pilot for The District Court of Maryland in Baltimore City, which was prepared by the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (C-DRUM) and funded by a Conflict Resolution Project Grant from the Maryland Judiciary Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO).