Online Dispute Resolution
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is an online messaging system designed to help you resolve your case in a quick and convenient way from a computer or Smartphone. Participating parties can choose to try to resolve their dispute directly or they can request a neutral volunteer mediator to facilitate the process. Parties can avoid the cost and time of going to court and come to their own agreement about how to resolve a dispute.

Yes, you can use the ODR platform to resolve a dispute before a case is filed by registering in the ODR system and inviting the other party to participate. If you have an active eviction or small claims case in the Court you can contact your court to request online dispute resolution or you may also be referred to mediation by the court at the time of your hearing.

ODR is available to you 24/7 and you may use it anytime at your convenience.

No. ODR is a free service for court users.

Mediation is any process in which a mediator facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary agreement regarding their dispute. Ohio's law governing mediation is called the Uniform Mediation Act.

Negotiation is a process in which two parties in a dispute try to reach a settlement directly without the help of a mediator. Mediation engages a neutral third party who will assist the parties in reaching a solution.

A mediator is an individual who conducts a mediation. A mediator receives training to be neutral and they do not offer legal advice. Mediators help people come to a voluntary agreement.

Mediators are trained, experienced, neutral third parties who will help you and the other party find a solution to your problem. They have been specially selected by your court to assist people using ODR.

No, but it's a good idea to know what your legal rights are before mediating. To find legal assistance in Ohio, you can visit Ohio Legal Help and the Ohio State Bar Association.

You may request a mediator at any time. Many people find it helpful to negotiate with the other person before requesting a mediator. Others request a mediator right away.

Online dispute resolution is not a trial. The purpose is to resolve the case before it goes further through the legal system. If the parties reach an agreement they can document the agreement in writing and submit it to the court (if there is an active case), or use the agreement as a guide that will prevent future disagreements or lawsuits. You and the other party, not a judge or magistrate, get to resolve your dispute in a way that works for both of you.

A party has registered in the Online Dispute Resolution Platform and would like to try to settle your dispute before filing a case in court. You can register as the other party in the ODR platform and begin the process.

The judge has recommended you and the other party log on to the ODR system as a step to resolving your matter. One party will register in the platform inviting the other party to participate. You will be able to negotiate directly with the other party to try to resolve your dispute or you can engage a mediator to assist in the process.

If you are reading this online, you have everything you need to access ODR.

ODR works with any device (computer, tablet or mobile) with web access (internet or cell-phone connectivity).

ODR supports the latest browser versions of Chrome, Safari, IE/Edge and Firefox.

The conversation space is private to:

• You,
• The other party, and
• The mediator

No one else has the ability to view your conversation.

With very limited exceptions, such as threatening harm to another person, all discussions are confidential and cannot be used in a trial.

There may be a time when you want the mediator to know something that you do not want to share with the other party:

• ODR allows you to communicate privately with the mediator
• You can have a private conversation with just the mediator by clicking on the "[your name] +Mediator" tab.

Mediators cannot be a witness or have their notes subpoenaed in a court case.

If your negotiation/mediation is unsuccessful:

• Select "I would like to opt-out"
• Check the box to confirm and click [Submit]

You may file your case with the court or if the case has already been filed your case will proceed in court.

ODR works with any device (computer, tablet or mobile) with web access (internet or cell-phone connectivity).

ODR supports the latest browser versions of Chrome, Safari, IE/Edge and Firefox.

Yes. The ODR system is accessible to people with disabilities.

Contact the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts at 513-946-5631.