The Mediated Settlement Conference Program is designed to offer parties, with the help of their attorneys and a mediator, an opportunity and the support they need to settle their cases earlier. During a mediated settlement conference, the parties, their attorneys, and a mediator are required to sit down together to discuss the matters in dispute and to try and resolve them. The conference will typically occur relatively early in the litigation process, but after parties have had time to conduct discovery and learn about the case.

Learn more about the program

Mediated Settlement Conference Brochure

Rule 1.(c).(1) of the Rules of the North Carolina Supreme Court Implementing Statewide Mediated Settlement Conferences in Superior Court Civil Actions provides that a senior resident superior court judge may, by written order, require parties, their attorneys, and a representative of any insurance carrier involved in the litigation to attend a pre-trial mediated settlement conference in any civil action except an action in which a party is seeking the issuance of an extraordinary writ or is appealing the revocation of a motor vehicle operator’s license. The program is operating in all N.C. superior court districts and most senior resident superior court judges routinely refer all eligible cases. Common types of cases mediated include automobile negligence actions, contract actions, other business disputes, malpractice cases, and construction defect cases. A party who believes there is some compelling reason why his or her case should not be mediated may ask the court to dispense with mediation. However, most senior resident Superior Court judges are reluctant to grant such requests. Once a case is ordered to mediation, the parties, their attorneys, and a representative of any insurance carrier involved must attend, unless the attendance requirement has been excused or modified by agreement of all the parties and the mediator or by order of the judge.

Information for Parties without Attorneys If you will be participating in a mediation without an attorney, please be aware that, while the mediator will do his or her best to ensure a civil and full discussion of the issues, s/he cannot give legal advice to anyone participating in the conference.

Superior Court Mediation Guide: Parties Not Represented by Attorneys

The Rules for Mediated Settlement Conferences and Other Settlement Procedures in Superior Court Civil Actions (MSC Rules) were first adopted by the Supreme Court in 1991, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.1. The Rules provide a framework for expediting settlement of superior court civil actions. The MSC Rules were amended on April 4, 2023, with and an effective date of May 1, 2023.

Forms for Mediated Settlement Conferences

• AOC-CV-811 - Order For Mediated Settlement Conference In Superior Court And Trial Calendar Notice
• AOC-CV-812 - Designation Of Mediator in Superior Court Civil Action
• AOC-CV-813 - Report Of Mediator In Superior Court Civil Action
• AOC-CV-814 - Petition And Order For Relief From Obligation To Pay Mediator's Fee
• AOC-CV-815 - Motion And Order For Show Cause Hearing
• AOC-CV-816 - Order Of Contempt For Non-Payment Of Mediator's Fees
• AOC-DRC-01 - Application for Certification to Conduct Superior Court Mediations
• AOC-DRC-05 - Dispute Resolution Commission Complaint
• AOC-DRC-07 - Certificate Of Observation
• AOC-DRC-09 - Mediator Evaluation Form
• AOC-DRC-15 - Mediated Settlement Agreement MSC Program (MSC Rule 4.C)
• AOC-DRC-16 - Mediated Settlement Agreement MSC Program (MSC Rule 4.C)
• AOC-DRC-18 - Mediation Summary
• AOC-DRC-19 - Order without Motion Extending Completion Date for Mediated Settlement Conference or Other Settlement Procedures Upon Stipulation of the Parties, Suggestion of the Mediator, or Upon the Court’s Own Order 
• AOC-DRC-20 - Notice of Withdrawal/Disqualification Of Mediator and Order for Substitution of Mediator

Forms for Other Available Superior Court Dispute Resolution Procedures (Neutral Evaluation, Arbitration, Summary Jury Trial (Jury or Non-Jury)

• AOC-CV-817 - Report Of Neutral Conducting Settlement Procedure Other Than Mediated Settlement Conference Or Arbitration In Superior Court Civil Action
• AOC-CV-818 - Motion To Use Settlement Procedure Other Than Mediated Settlement Conference In Superior Court Civil Action And Order
• AOC-CV-835 - Motion and Order Extending Completion Date for Mediated Settlement Conference or Other Settlement Procedure
• AOC-CV-836 - Consent Order For Substitution Of Mediator

Dispute Resolution Commission
PO Box 2448
Raleigh, NC 27602Telephone(919) 890-1415