OvalOptions for Conflict Management Launches Low-Cost, Online Mediation Program to Ease Court Backlog
Program Is Available to Parties Involved in Small Claims, Civil County and Domestic Cases
WHEAT RIDGE, COLO. – Colorado courts will receive much needed relief to their backlog of cases as the Colorado Conflict Clinic (CCC) opens its online doors on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
Developed and managed by OvalOptions for Conflict Management, CCC is a statewide, online mediation service that provides disputants another route to resolve their issues outside of the congested court system. For an affordable fixed fee, mediators facilitate online settlement discussions of small claims or civil county court cases (disputes that amount to $25,000 or less). CCC also provides online mediation services for parental responsibilities, such as custody and decision making, and child support issues for qualifying domestic cases. Disputing parties can access CCC even before filing a court case.
“Mediation allows parties a chance to resolve their differences through problem-solving and creative methods,” said Brian Beck, founder and co-owner of OvalOptions. “While adjudication can be expensive, lengthy, and unpredictable, mediation allows the parties control of the process and the resolution. And since mediation is confidential under state law, whatever is discussed and decided is generally unavailable to the public.”
COVID-19 has only worsened court congestion. Courts across Colorado have been closed or operating with limited resources, which has resulted in an unprecedented backlog of cases. For instance, parties whose original court dates were scheduled for May suddenly found their cases pushed to September or later. With many cases being delayed and parties feeling stuck without other resources, OvalOptions created CCC to bring relief to both courts and disputants statewide.
CCC mediators are experienced in court mediations, are trained to use online platforms, and are put through a quality assurance process that includes national background checks, peer observations, participant evaluations, and continual support across all cases. They volunteer their time to help Coloradans pursue amicable settlements to their disputes. Whereas a private mediator can easily cost parties upwards of $200 per hour, a two-hour mediation session at CCC’s affordable rates is $59/per party for civil cases and $79/per party for qualifying domestic cases. CCC’s rates cover the cost to administer the program and are made possible by generous volunteers committed to making dispute resolution available to as many people as possible.
Many cases filed in small claims and county courts, as well as family disputes, involve people who are not represented by an attorney and who could not or would not pay for mediation. As such, the resolution of their disputes is delayed as the courts try to work through the backlog of cases while adhering to public health guidelines. CCC’s goal is to assist the courts and parties by easing the backlog of cases through affordable, online mediation.
“While some mediators have dabbled in online dispute resolution services for years, COVID-19 has pushed the profession into a new era,” said Paige Brock, Director of the Colorado Conflict Clinic and volunteer mediator. “CCC is leading the way and raising the bar for the future of affordable online mediation services throughout Colorado.”
OvalOptions for Conflict Management is a conflict-consulting company based in Wheat Ridge. The company specializes in helping individuals, families, and businesses find the most cost-efficient, productive, and appropriate means for dealing with disputes. The OvalOptions team has more than 27 years of experience in mediation and case management, including managing Jefferson County Mediation Services. That volunteer program has handled over 20,000 cases with a more than 70% agreement rate in mediated cases.
To qualify for the $59-per-party rate, civil county cases must be under $25,000 and small claims under $7,500. The $79-per-party rate is limited to qualifying domestic cases for parental responsibilities, such as custody and decision making, and child support issues. For other disputes, regular mediation fees apply.
For more information about Colorado Conflict Clinic, visit www.ColoradoConflictClinic.com.
For more information about OvalOptions, visit www.OvalOptions.com.
For more information about Jefferson County Mediation Services, visit www.jeffco.us/mediation-services.