Administrative Law

CAH provides mediation services to state and local government agencies. All Administrative Law Judges have received training as mediators. Several have extensive mediation experience. Mediation is not limited to matters under CAH's jurisdiction. CAH can mediate any contested case proceeding or other contested matter, except for labor relation disputes.

Advantages

Mediation is helps the parties preserve an amicable relationship, and avoids the risks and costs of litigation. CAH Administrative Law Judges are experienced in providing high-quality, efficient mediation services while remaining impartial. Gain a judge's perspective on your legal dispute, all at an affordable rate.

Cost

CAH bills for mediation services at the hourly rate approved for all judicial services (currently $270 per hour). Hourly charges include mediation time and travel time. Expenses such as lodging, meals, and mileage may also be billed when the mediator must travel outside the Twin Cities metro area.

Locations

Mediations are often held at CAH's St. Paul or Duluth offices. Mediations can be held at many other locations, including remotely. Common mediation facilities include conference rooms, jury rooms, city council chambers, county commissioner boardrooms, or courtrooms.

Request mediation

To request mediation in an Administrative Law matter, complete the Mediation Request Form.

Workers' Compensation

Mediation with a Workers' Compensation Judge can be valuable when a case is particularly complicated or when parties could benefit from a judge's viewpoint on a factual or legal issue.  

Mediators

The following judges are available to conduct mediations:

Process

To request an CAH mediator, submit a Mediation Request Form via eFiling. Injured workers who are not represented by an attorney may also file by mailing the Mediation Request Form to PO Box 64620, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55164-0620, or by personal delivery to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 600 North Robert Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

Upon receipt, CAH will assign a case number and a mediator, and schedule a date for mediation. All CAH mediation files are maintained separately from dispute-related files.  As such, all documents filed on mediation cases must include the mediation case number.

Mediations are presumed to be held in person. Parties may move the court to use an alternative proceeding location on a case-by-case basis.

At least seven days prior to the scheduled mediation, the parties should each eFile a confidential mediation statement. The mediation statement should contain helpful background information, a medical summary, and any other information that is relevant to the matter.  A settlement analysis should also be included, along with any relevant medical or rehabilitation records.   

Parties should come prepared and with authority to fully participate in the mediation. Parties are expected to appear in person at the mediation. Out-of-state parties may attend by telephone by agreement of the parties and the mediator. Parties appearing by telephone should sign and return to CAH the Mediation and Confidentiality Agreement prior to the scheduled mediation date.