Disputes are everywhere these days, and sometimes, you need an attorney to help you. But some more minor issues can be resolved with just some elbow grease and a “can do” attitude. Here’s a new online way that might help you resolve a neighborhood dispute, a landlord-tenant issue, or some other issue that may not need the involvement of an attorney. And there is no service fee. Currently, it is only available for people who live, work or have disputes arising in certain UP counties, but hopefully it will soon be expanded to include northern lower peninsula counties as well.
MI-Resolve: A New Way to Resolve Disputes Online
This is a new service supported by the Michigan Supreme Court’s Administrative Office to provide a free, quick and easy means of resolving disputes that are typically filed as a small claims or landlord/tenant case in the district court.
Through MI-Resolve, parties can resolve their disputes with or without the help of a mediator. Parties can also arrange to meet with a mediator in person or via videoconference. Mediation is a process in which a trained neutral person (a mediator) helps parties identify a solution to a dispute that best works for them. Mediators do not take sides, evaluate claims, or provide legal advice.
ELIGIBILITY
To use this service, you must:
- Live, work, or have a dispute arising in Delta, Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Menominee, Ontonagon, or Schoolcraft Counties.
- Have an active email address and access to the internet.
- Agree to the terms listed in the Agreement to Mediate.
The Agreement to Mediate is found on the registration page after parties have completed intake. We’ll send a link to register for MI-Resolve after you have entered your and the other party’s contact information. - Be at least 18 years of age.
You do not need to have a case filed in court to use this service.
However, if you do have a case pending in court, you can still use this service to try to reach a settlement before your hearing or trial date. In this situation, a mediator will be assigned immediately but you may begin to directly communicate with the other party until the mediator joins you in the conversation space.
There is no service fee.
This service is most helpful for resolving disputes that involve:
- Claims alleging that money is owed, contract disputes, and neighborhood disputes;
- landlord/tenant matters such as rent owed and repairs but that do not involve eviction proceedings;
- Disputes where people are not represented by lawyers; and
- Disputes between only two people.
Get Started here: https://cii2.courtinnovations.com/MIUPCAP/newRequest?caseType=MEDIATION