Fairfax County General District Court

This notice comes from the Fairfax County General District Small Claims Court where your case has been filed. You and the other party should log on to the ODR system as the first step toward resolving your matter.

ODR is:

• An online court-monitored, web-based messaging system designed to help you resolve your case.
• Participation in ODR is strongly advised

You and the other party register and log into ODR using any internet-connected device (computer, tablet, smart phone)

• Users only register the first time they log in
• ODR allows an unlimited number of negotiation apparatus between the parties
• Each case has its own private negotiation space

You talk to each other in writing using ODR

• You review and respond to messages from the other party at your own convenience
• Documents and other evidence may be uploaded to ODR

Your ODR conversations are confidential

If you reach an agreement on your own:

• You and the other party complete the written agreement yourselves in ODR

If you and the other party cannot reach an agreement on your own, you may request the assistance of a mediator

• The Court will assign a mediator through the ODR system
• The mediator will initially talk to both parties at the same time. If needed, the mediator can meet with each party individually for a short time then come back together in the main session.
• The mediator documents any agreement in ODR and sends it to the Court for approval

If there is no agreement, you must appear in court on your trial date.

ODR will ask you if there is a PO/no contact order when you register

• You must check the box saying there is a PO/no contact order
• Your case will close in ODR, and you must appear in court

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There is no cost to users.

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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

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Mediation:

• Reduces the need for litigants to come to court
• Resolves cases faster

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Mediators are:

• Mediators are trained, experienced neutral third parties who will help you and the other party find a solution to your problem.

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The Court will provide you with the ODR web address and the instructions to login and access your case

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Log into the ODR site to access your case using the “case number” on your notice from the Court

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Once logged in, you will see three tabs

• Click on the “Conversations” tab
• It will place you in the conversations space where you can engage with the other party and/or the mediator

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The mediation space is private to:

• You
• The other party
• The mediator, if the mediator gets involved in your case

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No one else has the ability to view your conversation.

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

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

• In this case, 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.

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

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ODR is more successful when you prepare and have a plan that:

• Identifies your goals
• Assesses what the other party’s goals might be
• Considers several possible settlement options that work for you and the other party

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Thinking through these things in advance will help you and the other participant reach an agreement that works for everyone

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It is up to you to decide if you want to accept or reject the offer

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If the offer works for you, you can accept it and move on to the next screen

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If the offer does not work for you, reject it and reply with an explanation of why it does not work for you

• Just saying "no" does not help find a solution and will probably end the conversation
• Offering some explanation is usually helpful
• You can make a counter-offer you feel does address your needs

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It is helpful to think through terms that might be important in carrying out your agreement

Here are some terms that you might consider:

• General terms: address “who, what, when, where, and how” considerations
• Future terms: if you are interacting with each other in the future, how will you do that?
• Monetary terms: when, how, and to whom will you make payments?
• Future dispute resolution: address in the agreement what will you do if you have another dispute
• Confidentiality: The agreement is not confidential but the conversations are
• If there is a pending court case, who will dismiss the lawsuit or file a consent judgment, and when?
• Any other terms you have agreed to

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No, but it is a good idea to know what your legal rights are before mediating

Click here to find legal assistance in Virginia

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Signed agreements are binding contracts

Make sure that you are satisfied with your agreement before signing it

If you have any questions about the agreement or feel pressured to sign, contact a lawyer or the mediator handling your case

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If a party does not keep the agreement, the party believing that the agreement was not kept can file a motion with the court claiming the other party did not keep its agreement

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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

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Yes

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Contact the Fairfax County General District Court at 703-246-3012 or GDCMail@fairfaxcounty.gov

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Please visit us at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/generaldistrict/coronavirus-civil;

Fairfax County General District Court
4110 Chain Bridge Rd
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-3012
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/generaldistrict/civil