Alternative Dispute Resolution
Overview
Most civil disputes are resolved without filing a lawsuit, and most civil lawsuits are resolved without a trial. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a term used to describe various processes in which a neutral person helps people resolve their case without a trial.
ADR is designed to take place as early as possible in the life of a case, to provide an opportunity to settle all or part of the case and keep litigation expense to a minimum. ADR is typically faster, cheaper, and less stressful than going to court. ADR also lets people resolve their disputes in a more private environment.
Parties in a civil case can use a mediator, arbitrator, or settlement conference neutral for assistance in resolving a case. Click on the ADR Information Package for more information about our various ADR options.
Volunteer Settlement Conference Attorney Recruitment
The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco is recruiting qualified attorneys to serve as volunteer settlement conference officers as part of the Civil Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) Program. Attorneys must have practiced for at least 10 years and be in good standing and active members of the State Bar of California. The Court is seeking attorneys with substantial settlement experience. Application deadline: April 24, 2026. More information about the program and recruitment can be found here.
Volunteer Settlement Conference Attorney Application
Settlement Program
In October 2023, a revised settlement program at the San Francisco Superior Court was announced. The revised program puts the burden on parties to let the court know when they are prepared for a meaningful settlement conference. To schedule a settlement conference, all counsel and parties MUST jointly email the ADR Coordinator at adrcoordinator@sftc.org. The ADR Coordinator will assign the parties to an available judge or a volunteer settlement conference officer and the court will provide notice of the settlement date.
ADR Information
This comprehensive guide to Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides information and resources to learn all about mediation and settling cases out of Court.
Notice: The Judicial Mediation Program has been suspended for the time being
Voluntary Expedited Jury Trial
The San Francisco Superior Court encourages the use of Voluntary Expedited Jury Trials (“EJTs”) in appropriate cases. EJTs provide an excellent opportunity to resolve your client’s case in an expeditious and inexpensive way. Click on the EJT Information Sheet to learn more.