Mediation Services

Civil Case Mediation (formerly known as Citizens Dispute Settlement Program, or CDSP)

The Help Center at Toledo Municipal Court provides civil case mediation services as an alternative means of resolving disputes other than the traditional court system. With the help of a neutral third party serving as a mediator, participants often reach mutually acceptable agreements. In mediation, avenues of communication are opened which permit the participants to more clearly understand themselves, each other, and the situation. Since the participants voluntarily create these agreements, they can be individually crafted to meet their needs that leads to successful implementation. Mediations can be held in person or remotely by video conferencing or telephone.

Cases referred to mediation are those that have already been filed in Toledo Municipal Court and must be referred by the Court’s judges or magistrates. Parties to a civil case who are interested in exploring mediation as a dispute settlement option may discuss this with their legal counsel or move the Court for a referral.

The Help Center’s Mediation Services Office is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Help Center closes daily for lunch between noon and 1:00 p.m. The Help Center is located in Room 444 of the Toledo Municipal Court building and can be reached by telephone at (419) 245-1951 or by e-mail at helpcenter@tmcourt.org.

If you are interested in mediating an issue but do not have a case in Toledo Municipal Court, please contact the City of Toledo Human Relations Commission (HRC) mediation program through Engage Toledo at (419) 936-2020. Mediation services offered by the HRC are voluntary, free, and are not a legal service. The HRC mediation program is best suited to help with neighbor and interpersonal disputes. For landlord/tenant concerns, please contact CLAS, the Fair Housing Center, or City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information, please visit www.hrc.toledo.oh.gov.