Do I need to have filed a Court case before I can use your services?
No. Any dispute may be taken to the Community Information and Referral Program and family disputes may be taken to the Family Mediation Program. Those who have civil or small claims issues often first file with the Court before participating in mediation.

Do I need to have an attorney?
You do not need to have an attorney to participate in Multi-Door's programs. However, attorneys often participate in civil mediation, arbitration, and case evaluation. It is important to understand that our mediators do not give legal advice to parties, do not represent them in Court, and do not make reports to the Court about the discussions that take place in mediation sessions. If you choose to have the assistance of an attorney in your matter, the mediator assigned to your case will explain how your attorney can be integrated into the ADR process.

How much does it cost to use one of your programs?
Multi-Door's services are free to anyone who lives in the District of Columbia. To get the most out of our programs, you are expected to make a good-faith effort - including attention, thought and self-reflection - to resolve your dispute in a manner that considers everyone concerned.

What if mediation or another form of ADR doesn't work in my case?
If you are unable to reach a resolution of your issues through Multi-Door, the mediator assigned to your case will talk with you about what some of your possible next steps might be. Although we believe that the ADR process gives many parties the best opportunity to reach a satisfactory, sensible and lasting resolution to their disputes, it is not the best forum for everyone.

How can I find out more about the different Multi-Door programs?
In addition to the information available here on the website, feel free to call us any time with your questions, or drop by during our business hours.

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