Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services in Howard County

Community Resources

Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center, Inc. of Howard County (MCRC)
9770 Patuxent Woods Drive
Suite 306
Columbia, MD 21046
(p) 443-518-7693
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.mcrchoward.org/

The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center of Howard County offers free mediation, restorative justice processes, and other dispute resolution services to all residents and businesses of Howard County. These processes give neighbors, schools, government agencies, employees and employers, individuals, and families a constructive way to respond to conflict where everyone feels heard and conflicts can be resolved. MCRC offers conflict management, anger management, and teen programs to the Howard County community. MCRC provides services via Zoom and in-person.

Please visit the website for a complete listing of services and hours of operation.

Court Programs

Circuit Court for Howard County
9250 Judicial Way
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Website address: https://mdcourts.gov/circuit/howard/adr

If you have a civil case pending in the Circuit Court, you may be able to use mediation or a settlement conference to resolve your case prior to trial. These processes are often used in family cases, such as contested custody and visitation, parenting plans/child access, and separation of marital property. The court may also use these processes for non-family cases, such as contract, personal injury, employment, environmental, workers’ compensation, and real property, to name a few.

Contact the court to learn more.

District Court of Maryland ADR Office
251 Rowe Boulevard
Suite 307
Annapolis, MD 21401
Website: www.mdcourts.gov/district/adr/home.html

If you have a civil case pending in the District Court of Maryland, you may be able to take advantage of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve your dispute. You can use ADR before your trial date and on the day of your trial. There are two types of ADR services offered, mediation and settlement conferences. ADR services in the District Court are free to the participants.

Day of Trial ADR services are offered in-person on the trial date. Pre-trial ADR services may be available in-person, remotely (on a computer, tablet, or smart phone), or both. The services offered at each District Court location vary; please visit the District Court ADR Office website to see what is available in this county. Please contact the ADR Office according to how you would like to participate in an ADR session, in-person or remotely:

Before Your Trial (no later than two weeks prior to trial)
Pre-Trial Mediation: Cases are referred to approved mediators or a partner organization and can be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date, time, and location convenient for all parties. If the case is not resolved at the pre-trial mediation, the case goes forward to trial on the scheduled trial date.

Pre-Trial Settlement Conference: Cases are referred to approved settlement conference attorneys. The District Court ADR Office will schedule sessions on a mutually agreeable date for all parties in the case. If the case is not resolved during the pre-trial settlement conference, the case goes forward to trial on the scheduled trial date.

Day of Trial
Day of Trial ADR: In the courtroom, cases may be referred to mediation or settlement conference by the judge, or parties may request these services if available. All parties in the case must appear for the case to be referred to ADR. The ADR process will take place in a private room in the courthouse. If the case is not resolved in ADR, the parties will return to the courtroom for the scheduled court process.

To learn more about alternative dispute resolution programs in the District Court of Maryland and to find out which services are available at the courthouse where your case is scheduled, visit “the” District Court ADR Office website, or call 410-260-1676 or 1-866-940-1729.