Fourth Appellate District Introduces Voluntary Civil Mediation Program

SAN DIEGO—In a progressive step towards expediting the resolution of civil appeal cases, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego) has introduced its voluntary Civil Mediation Program. This new program is facilitated through the Temporary Assigned Judges Civil Mediator Program which is part of a statewide effort originally conceived and initiated by former Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.

The Civil Mediation Program marks a departure from the court’s existing Voluntary Settlement Program by designating retired Court of Appeal justices from the Temporary Assigned Judges Program’s (TAJP) pool of qualified participants to serve as mediators on eligible civil appeal cases.

This program offers an avenue for parties to expedite the resolution of their civil appeals as an alternative to going through the entire appellate process. Importantly, the program is funded entirely by the TAJP, alleviating any additional financial burden on the parties. Retired justices entering the program are experienced in handling appeals and undergo comprehensive training to qualify as mediators.

The launch of the Civil Mediation Program underscores the Fourth District’s commitment to efficiency and accessibility in the justice system by offering a cost-effective means to quickly resolve civil appeals through court-sponsored mediation.

“I’m excited to have worked with the leadership of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One to be the first appellate court to provide parties access to the new Civil Mediator Program being implemented through the Temporary Assigned Judges Program,” said Chris Belloli, manager of the Temporary Assigned Judges Program.

For more information, please visit the court’s programs website at Court Programs - 4DCA.