Dispute Resolution Center

What is the Dispute Resolution Center?

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) offers assistance to parties involved in a conflict or disagreement. Created in 1979 by the New York Legislature and primarily funded by the New York State Unified Court System, the DRC can offer no-cost mediation services empowering both parties to work together toward a mutually agreeable solution. 

What does the Dispute Resolution Center do?

The Catholic Charities Dispute Resolution Center provides a private, voluntary and informal process conducted by a neutral third party, or mediator, who helps individuals informally resolve issues on their own terms. It is not a court process. Anyone can access this service. Each case or dispute entails an individualized process because each set of facts is unique.

The services are based around helping people have difficult conversations while affording them the power to make all decisions themselves. Confidentiality creates an environment with the freedom to openly discuss the problem and keep information private. 

While some cases are referred by the courts and other organizations, the Dispute Resolution Center is available to all residents in the seven counties we serve: Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, and Chenango Counties. For more information you may contact one of our staff directly. We provide a variety of skilled mediators and resources to assist families, individuals, and businesses in resolving conflict and improving communication.

What is Mediation?

Mediation empowers both parties to mutually resolve their dispute rather than having it resolved for them. A mediator is not a decision maker but a neutral facilitator who helps people in a dispute communicate, understand each other, and, when possible, reach agreements that satisfy everyone’s needs. The mediator does not take sides nor decide who was right or wrong in the past. Instead, the intention is to allow participants to design creative solutions to the conflict collaboratively. Mediators cannot give legal advice and do not advocate for or against either party. Instead, they ensure that all parties are heard, facilitate conversation, and help people find and create their own solutions. Mediators assist both parties using various tools to foster respect and truthfulness in a safe environment.

Types of Mediation

• Parenting Plan Mediation: Reducing the impact on your children is crucial in the mediation process. Parenting plan agreements are created mutually by both parents respecting the schedules and lifestyles of all family members. The mediator is present to facilitate communication and does not participate in the decision-making process.
• Divorce Mediation: Divorce Mediation is an alternative to traditional court-based processes. Neutral mediators help identify issues to be resolved such as assets and debts, property, custody and child support. There is an hourly rate for the mediation sessions based on a sliding fee scale. Mediators do not give legal advice or tell you what your legal rights are in the divorce process.
• Small Claims: We provide mediation assistance with financial and contract-based disputes. You do not need to file in court to begin the mediation process. For example, mediation is an excellent alternative to court if you are unhappy with work done on your home, the service provided, or not being paid for your time and efforts. Small claims meditation encourages both parties to work together towards a solution to settle the case.
• Landlord Tenant: If you have tried communicating with your landlord and have been unable to resolve the issues, enlisting the help of a neutral third-party mediator can be beneficial and effective. A mediator can assist with housing disputes, past due rent, return of the security deposit, or lease modifications. Mediators help the disputing parties collaborate and agree upon a realistic, workable solution to their problem.
• Community Mediation: Mediation can be effective in any conflict within the community involving neighbors, coworkers, church members, friends, or family. It is an effective, efficient, and affordable alternative to litigation to help people resolve their differences. In addition, it is an amicable method of encouraging productive communication to dissolve disputes within the community.
• Lemon Law Arbitration: Lemon Law Arbitration is a binding and formal process. In the hearing, the arbitrator hears from and reviews documents from the seller, purchaser/owner, and experts. This can be used for new cars, used cars, RVs, motorcycles, wheelchairs, and agricultural equipment. The New York State Consumer Frauds/Lemon Law Website, https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/lemon-law, has more info and application PDFs for each type of vehicle to submit your claim through the Attorney General.
• Special Education Mediation: Special Education Mediation is a process which brings together parents/guardians of children with IEPs, 504s, or other education plans with school representatives in a collaboration process. Schools can work with a mediator to clarify situations and improve education plans to be functional, feasible, and agreeable.
• Agricultural Mediation: Agricultural mediation is a tool for farmers, agribusiness, and others in the farming community to collaborate with the help of the mediator to reach mutually agreeable and workable solutions. Our mediators can help with credit or debt issues, border and farming practice disputes, and other issues that impact the family and farm.
  A mediator has no decision-making authority and is present to help both parties discuss and explore their issues in a non-confrontational manner. Successful mediation is centered on the cooperation and involvement of all participants.

Affiliations/Partners