Mediation and New Direct Service Programs
Contra Costa County Superior Court Program
The Congress of Neutrals provides mediation services in small claims, unlawful detainer and civil harassment cases throughout Contra Costa County. Participation in these mediations, which are held on the day of trial in all three of the local branch courts (Pittsburg, Richmond and Martinez) is free of charge, voluntary and confidential.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, the number of mediations we have performed for the court on an annual basis has increased dramatically and we have conducted several thousands of mediations to date. The Congress also has a mentoring program for new mediators which provides them with volunteer mediation opportunities at the court under the supervision of experienced staff through our Mediation Mentoring Program (MMP).
In response to the end of the Eviction Moratorium and through the support of the County, The Congress of Neutrals in late 2021 has increased the number of mediators committed to providing day of trial mediations on the Unlawful Detainer case calendars.
Family Law Contempt Mediation Program
The Congress of Neutrals offers mediation services to litigants referred by the Contra Costa County Superior Court hearing Family Law Contempt matters to help parties resolve the issues which caused one of them to ask the court to find the other in contempt of Family Law orders.
For more information about this program please contact our office at contempts@congressofneutrals.org or albaz@congressofneutrals.org, or call Alba Zavala at (925)289-8730.
Early Intervention Unlawful Detainer Mediation Services Program
The Congress of Neutrals has been awarded a grant commencing April 1st, 2024 through March 31, 2025 to provide early intervention unlawful detainer mediation services targeted to those litigants at or below 200 % of the Federal Poverty Threshold. These services will be available in three counties: Merced, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Mediations will primarily take place remotely by zoom with our trained and experienced unlawful detainer mediators. If you are interested in finding out more about the program or you would like to participate, please contact Barbara Landry at 925-269-9805 barbaral@congressofneutrals.org.