Criminal Court
The New York City Criminal Court may refer certain disputes to Community Dispute Resolution Centers for mediation services. These disputes may be between neighbors, acquaintances, family members, landlords and tenants, or consumers and merchants.
Family Court
New York City Family Court offers free mediation services for parenting issues in custody and visitation cases.
Civil Court
The Civil Court of the City of New York handles civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court. It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $5,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters of unlimited amounts and housing code violations. NYC Civil Court has various ADR programs available:
Housing Court – Resolution Part
Small Claims Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)
The NYC Civil Court is now offering online dispute resolution (ODR) for small claims cases. Through the use of technology, ODR allows for the resolution of disputes online.
Learn more about how ODR works, which cases are eligible and how to file online.
Small Claims Mediation
Each borough has a Small Claims mediation program. For more information, you may reach out to the program coordinator at smclaimsmediation-nyc@nycourts.gov.
Supreme Court, Civil
NYC Supreme Civil consists of trial courts that see a variety of cases including commercial, matrimonial (divorce), and personal injury. Find out more about the ADR Programs in NYC Supreme courts:
Bronx
Bronx Supreme Court, Civil
ADR Coordinator:
Email: ADR-12JD@nycourts.gov
Brooklyn
Kings County Supreme Court, Civil
ADR Coordinator: Kelechi Acholonu, Esq.
Email: ADR-2JD@nycourts.gov
Manhattan
New York County Supreme Court, Civil
ADR Coordinator: Jean Norton, Esq
Email: ADR-1JD@nycourts.gov
Early Settlement Conferences
For certain trial-ready, post-Note-of-Issue civil cases, court staff meet with parties and counsel to try to help them reach a settlement. The court staff person, who is neutral, may evaluate strengths and weaknesses of claims and offer an opinion about likely court outcomes. The court staff person may be an experienced attorney or judge designated for this purpose. The process often helps parties reach a settlement. Parties with questions should call 646-386-3689 or 646-386-3683.
Queens
Queens Supreme Court, Civil
ADR Coordinator: Linda Dardis, Esq.
Supreme Court, Civil Branch, Queens County
Queens County Courthouse
88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Room 511
Jamaica, NY 11435
Email: qscadr@nycourts.gov
Phone: (718) 298-1031
The Queens County Supreme Court Commercial Division ADR Program
The Queens County Matrimonial Mediation Program helps divorcing couples with cases in court come to agreements on parenting and economic matters.
Staten Island
Richmond County Supreme Court, Civil
ADR Coordinator: Irini N. Bekhit, Esq.
Email: ADR-13JD@nycourts.gov
Surrogate’s Court
The Surrogate’s Courts hear cases involving the affairs of decedents, including the probate of wills and the administration of estates. Find out about the Bronx Surrogate’s ADR Program or the Queens Surrogate's Mediation Program. For Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Staten Island, please contact ADR-Surrogates-NYC@nycourts.gov