Frequently Asked Questions

What is the step-by-step procedure for mediation?

Upon the filing of certain pleadings, the P500.00 mediation fee will be collected by the
Clerk of Court. After your case is determined to be mediatable, the Branch Clerk of Court
will issue a Notice of Order of Pre-Trial. Both parties and their counsel will be required to
appear before the judge. The court will order you both to the Philippine Mediation Center
(PMC) Unit for an orientation on mediation.
The Daily Supervisor (DS) of the unit will explain the mediation process. The mediation
proceedings are cheduled at your earliest convenience, usually within five to seven
working days.
The DS then presents a list of accredited mediators for both parties to choose and agree
on. If you can not select one, the DS will assign the mediator to your case and will notify
the mediator through a Notice of Mediation validated by the
judge. This makes the mediator an Officer of the Court.
The mediation session then proceeds on the scheduled date in an open and informal
setting to encourage ommunication. You will have 30 days for the proceedings,
extendible to another 30 days.
As a litigant, how do I prepare for mediation?
Consult your lawyer for a thorough briefing on mediation and how it will affect your
case. Have all the necessary documents regarding your case at hand. Be ready to confront
possibly deep-seated issues at the heart of the dispute.
Is there a neutral venue for mediation? Where do mediation sessions take place?
Mediation sessions are held in private rooms in the PMC unit of the trial court.
The sessions can not take place in private offices like the law office of the mediator.
If one of the parties is not available due to health reasons, for example, proper
authorization has to be made.
How long should each of these sessions last?
An individual mediation session can last from one hour to three hours on the average.
How many people are allowed in a mediation session?
As a litigant, you can be accompanied by as many people you feel will help you in the
mediation proceedings. However, considering space limitations, you might consider
bringing only your lawyer and perhaps one other companion.
Is there an official language for a mediation session?
There is no official language for mediation proceedings. The disputing parties and the
mediator can use their native language provided that everyone can understand each other.
What will happen when both parties can not seem to agree?
When a settlement can not be reached through court-annexed mediation, the case is
referred back to the pre-trial judge. This begins the JDR process. If this still fails, the case
is moved to another judge for trial.
What will happen if the other party does not comply with the agreement reached?
You must inform the court that approved the compromise agreement immediately for

them to issue an order to comply. Sanctions will be imposed for non-compliance. The
aggrieved party may also apply for a writ of execution.
What do I do if the mediation proceedings are leaked to the press?
Since mediation proceedings are confidential, violations made by either party or even the
mediator will be sanctioned.
Where can I learn more about mediation?
Your lawyer may be one of your best resources on mediation. The Philippine Mediation
Center may have additional information. Mediation is a global experience and can also be
researched extensively on the web.