MI-Resolve

I agree to participate in online mediation according to the following terms:

1. REGISTRATION
   

   You are required to have a valid email address which will be used as your username, and to set a password. Any communications made, including any uploaded documents, using your username and password are presumed to have been made by you or someone who has your permission to do so.

2. ONLINE MEDIATION PROCESS
   

   Once both parties agree to use the service, both parties can attempt to resolve their matter online. Parties will have 7 days to negotiate the terms of an agreement on their own. If no agreement is reached within 7 days, MI-Resolve will provide a mediator to help facilitate the conversations. You don't need to wait 7 days to request a mediator though - you can request one at any time after registering.
   If you reach an agreement, a form incorporating the terms you've agreed on will be sent to you to electronically sign. The signed agreement is legally binding. If a party does not keep the agreement, the party believing that the agreement was not kept can file a case in court claiming the other party didn't keep its agreement. If a court case involving your issues has been filed and this agreement resolves the issues, MI-Resolve will send you the necessary court form that the Plaintiff in the case can file with the court.

3. PARTICIPATION IN MEDIATION IS VOLUNTARY
   

   Participation in MI-Resolve and reaching a settlement are completely voluntary. Either party may withdraw from mediation at any time for any reason. If a settlement is not reached, you do not give up any rights to go to court to resolve your dispute.

4. THE MEDIATORS
   

   Mediators are neutral persons who have completed training programs approved by the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office and are affiliated with the Community Dispute Resolution Program. Mediators will not act as an advocate or attorney or give any legal advice.

5. LEGAL ADVICE AND ATTORNEYS
   

   It is important to know your legal rights, either by consultation with an attorney, or through other sources such as Michigan Legal Help.
   
   Information on small claims cases can be found here.
   
   Information on Landlord/Tenant cases can be found here.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY
   

   Except as provided below, the mediator and dispute resolution center staff will not share any communications made during mediation with persons not involved in the mediation unless all parties request this be done and the mediator agrees, or if required by law or court rule. Mediation communications include verbal or written statements made as part of the mediation, such as proposed resolutions or unsigned agreements. During the mediation there may be times where communications between you and the mediator will be kept confidential and not shared with the other party. Signed mediated agreements may be provided to a court if requested by the parties or if required by the court.

   For purposes of continual improvement of the site, individual identified data may be made available to evaluators selected by the Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administration Office, and users may be contacted to complete a survey. Data compiled as a result of evaluation will only be published in the aggregate. No individual data about your case will be published.

   Video and audio recording (including taping, recording, photographing, screen capture and other methods of capture) of any part of MI-Resolve are prohibited. This prohibition extends to the parties' and mediator's written communications, photographs and electronic documents shared within the system. The prohibition also extends to communications that parties may wish to have via tele-conference or video-conference in the course of the mediation. Live and deferred transmission of video and audio communications that may occur throughout the mediation process are also prohibited.

   Note: If you have a case pending in court, there are additional exceptions to confidentiality. Please refer to Michigan Court Rules 2.412.