The District Court of Maryland Pre-trial Remote ADR Program offers free mediation or settlement conferences, for civil cases pending in the District Court of Maryland before the trial date. All ADR sessions are conducted remotely via Zoom for Government.
Interested in trying ADR before your trial date?
Contact us to request ADR for your case using the Remote ADR Request Form or by phone at 410-260-1971 during business hours, Monday thru Friday. Include your case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached.
What to expect in Remote ADR
I need legal help
More about ADR
Step 1 - Intake
Step 2 - Scheduling
Step 3 - Documents
Step 4 - Zoom
Step 5 - Afterwards
Legal Help
More about ADR
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a guided conversation facilitated by a neutral, professional to resolve conflicts. ADR is designed to encourage creative solutions, clarify issues, and gives you more control over the outcome.
- ADR conversations that take place before and during an ADR session are confidential and are not shared with the judge.
- ADR is provided free of charge.
- You do not give up any rights by participating in an ADR session.
- If you reach an agreement, the case may be taken off the docket and you may not need to appear for trial. If no agreement is reached, the case will go to trial on the scheduled date, and the judge will decide the outcome.
What to expect in Remote ADR
Step 1: Intake. During "intake", a staff member will speak individually with each participant over the phone prior to the session being scheduled. They will explain the ADR process, prepare parties for the session, clarify their needs, preferences and scheduling requirements.
After conducting intake with each party, the ADR Office will follow-up with all parties to share whether the case will move forward to a Remote ADR session. If so, see steps 2-5 below.
Step 2: Scheduling Confirmation. All invited parties will receive a scheduling confirmation e-mail and other instructions for participating in the Zoom ADR session. This e-mail also includes Participant Instructions to read before your Remote ADR session.
Step 3: e-Sign the Agreement to Participate in ADR. All parties participating in the ADR session will receive the District Court's Agreement to Participate in Remote ADR - Mediation or Settlement Conference to review and electronically sign, prior to the scheduled ZOOM ADR session date.
This document ensures that all participants understand and voluntarily consent to participating in the remote ADR session. It details the terms and conditions of the Remote ADR session, including technology use, confidentiality, and participant responsibilities.
Step 4: Attend ADR session remotely via Zoom. On the scheduled date and time of the session, a staff member will assist all parties on connecting to the Zoom session and introduce parties to the ADR practitioner. The ADR practitioner will conduct the session.
Step 5: After the Remote ADR session.
- If you reach an agreement, the terms of your agreement will be put in writing for you to review and sign. The agreement will be filed with the court as decided in ADR. This filing may be handled by ADR staff, a party in the case, or an attorney.
- Complete a Confidential Remote ADR Participant & Attorney Survey about the Remote ADR session.
Need legal help?
If you have questions or concerns about your legal rights and/or responsibilities, a lawyer with the Maryland Court Help Center may be abe to speak with you about your civil case.
These services are provided free-of-charge.
To talk privately about your case with a Maryland Court Help Center lawyer about your civil case, call 410-260-1392 or go to this Court Help web page, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Questions about a debt collections case? This Debt Collection web page has more information and resources.
Last Updated: 09/10/2026