Resolution Services

There is a fee for mediation separate from the fee you paid to the court. This fee is payable to Clackamas County and is not a court fee.

The fee is:

If your court filing fees have been waived by a judge, your mediation fee is also waived.

Acceptable methods of payment:

• personal check signed by the person whose name appears on the check
• money order or cashier's check
• Master Card, Visa or Discover Card only (not American Express, etc.)
• cash (Exact change is appreciated. We have very limited change on hand)

The fee is due when you check in for mediation. Please do not send the fee in advance.

You can contact resolution Services at cdrs@clackamas.us or at 503-655-8850. This is a message phone. Our offices are open Monday through Thursday. We will return your message within one business day.

If you need an interpreter, please request one at least four days before your mediation by calling the Small Claims Clerk at 503-655-8447. A qualified court interpreter will be provided to you at no charge. You may not bring a friend or family member to interpret for you.

About Mediation

How does Mediation Work? 

In mediation, both sides of a case will meet with a mediator who will help you have a conversation about ways to settle your case that might be better for you than going to trial. You make the decisions, including whether you settle and what the settlement terms are.

Who are the Mediators?

Our mediators are trained and experienced volunteers who donate their time to help others resolve conflicts. They will help you have a conversation with the other side, but will not make recommendations or give legal advice. More information about each of our mediators is available, including their background, training and experience. Our mediators follow the ethical guidelines in the Oregon Mediation Association Core Standards of Mediation Practice.

A Message From The Court

Clackamas County Circuit and Justice Courts each have a rule requiring all small claims cases to try mediation before trial. The Circuit Court rule is SLR 12.005: Mediation in Small Claims Actions; Failure to Comply with Settlement

1. All disputed small claims actions shall go to mediation before going to trial, except for good cause acceptable to the Court.
2. The Court may, subsequent to an opportunity for a hearing, enter a judgment against any party not appearing for mediation in the amount of any claim against the non-appearing party, and for the adverse party’s costs and disbursements.
3. Agreement reached while in mediation shall be signed by the parties and filed as a stipulated order.
4. Failure of either party to abide by the stipulated order will be grounds for the opposing party to file an Affidavit/Declaration of Non-Compliance and obtain a judgment on the original claim

Information For After Your Mediation (not needed in every case)

• Default Judgment Paperwork (Circuit and Justice Court)
  • Default Judgment and Money Award
  • Motion for Default Judgment
  • Default Judgment Court Statement
• Noncompliance Paperwork
  • Circuit Court Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Default Judgment
  • Justice Court Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Default Judgment

Fees for Circuit Court Cases

There is a fee for mediation separate from the fee you paid to the court. This fee is payable to Clackamas County and is not a court fee.

The fee is:

Acceptable methods of payment for in-person mediation (not currently available due to COVID-19):

• personal check signed by the person whose name appears on the check
• money order or cashier's check
• Master Card, Visa or Discover Card only (not American Express, etc.)
• cash (Exact change is appreciated. We have very limited change on hand) 

The fee is due when you check in for mediation. Please do not send the fee in advance.

To get notice of upcoming trainings, join our mailing list here :

We provide confidential mediation and legal clinic services to families seeking to resolve issues such as child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, finances and property division.

These services are offered to married and unmarried partners, and to parties who are currently separating or divorcing, as well as to those who have post-divorce changes in circumstances. Some people come before they have filed anything in court; others come after they have filed. Still others come to mediate issues that have arisen since the original order. Most people come to mediation when they recognize that the use of an impartial person may be helpful in resolving the issues between them.

Cost and Services

If you have an active family law court case in Clackamas County, there will be no charge for your first two sessions. Otherwise, the cost of each session will be $187.50, or $93.75 each. 

Our fees are payable through our online payment portal and due no later than the beginning of your session.

We can prepare your court paperwork if:

• You mediate with Resolution Services, and
• Both parties are self-represented (meaning you have not retained an attorney), and
• You reach full agreement on all of the issues in your case, and
• Both parties agree to use this service and pay the fees.

Court-Mandated Mediation

Mediation with Resolution Services is optional. There are several ways to satisfy the requirement for participation in appropriate dispute resolution under Clackamas County Supplementary Local Rule 8.017. In Clackamas county, parties to a family law action who have a dispute must attempt some kind of appropriate dispute resolution (ADR). Mediation is one way to satisfy this requirement.

If you choose to use Resolution Services for Court-Mandated Mediation, you will need to do the following:

• Register: You need to register by completing the intake form before your deadline.
• Orientation Video: You need to watch the Family Law Mediation Orientation Video (or read the transcript), as required under ORS 107.755, before participating in mediation.
  • English
    • Orientation video
    • Transcript
  • Español (Spanish)
    • Orientación Video
    • Transcripción
  • Pусский (Russian)
    • ориентация Видео
    • Стенограмма

You do not need to have scheduled or held a mediation session by the deadline.

Working with the Center, neighbors engaged in a productive and cordial dialogue. They reached an understanding of their different perceptions of appropriate yard maintenance, the physical and financial limitations they each faced, and the future they desired. Now, parties have an agreement that works and skills to discuss their ongoing concerns and interests.

Personality Differences

All residents of a housing facility were caught up in a disagreement between two residents.

Emotionally-charged interactions between parties were affecting all residents of this housing facility. Through mediation, both parties were able to focus on their common interests, become aware of how their differences were impacting others, and regain their commitment to respect each other and improve the relationship.

Barking Dogs

An elderly, manufactured-home owner was aggravated by constant barking.

When Dog Services recommended mediation to this elderly resident, there was little hope in finding relief from continuous barking. Working with Center mediators, options were explored with the home owner and neighbor. Agreements were reached and renegotiated as the situation changed over time. Ultimately, effective resolution was achieved through better communication skills, an understanding of the impact of dog barking and assistance in exploring accountability and dog-behavior training.

Consumer Complaint

A consumer and merchant failed to find common ground and resolve ongoing complaints.

After months of unproductive telephone calls and letter writing, the Dispute Resolution Center was approached and parties agreed to meet face-to-face. With a process that ensured both parties could be heard and their needs respected, a fair and mutually-agreeable option was reached that satisfied everyone.

Property Dispute

Frustrated with abandoned property, community members pursued an alternative to code enforcement.

Frustrated with abandoned property that had become a local eyesore, a neighborhood sought out options beyond code enforcement. Telephone conciliation facilitated by trained mediators lead to open dialogue and the option to purchase the property. Now, the property is restored to its native habitat and has become a source of pride.