It is the public policy of the Yurok Tribal Court to assist parties to resolve their disputes in a consensual and collaborative manner. The Court hereby implements this policy to establish a mediation program for domestic relations and civil disputes brought before the Court. Upon filing a petition which indicates a request for mediation, the Clerk of the Court will send a notice of mediation request to the mediator to attempt to schedule mediation prior to the initial hearing date. Should the parties resolve their matter in mediation, the mediator will file a stipulated agreement with the Court and a hearing will not be necessary. The agreement will be reviewed and issued by the judge as an enforceable Court order or the judge, at their discretion, may still hold a hearing on the matter when appropriate. Should the parties not resolve their matter in mediation in part or all, the mediator will file a report that mediation was not successful with the Clerk of the Court. Mediation is strictly confidential, and all parties involved are bound by confidentiality. No information regarding the actual mediation efforts will be reported to the Court. Should the parties agree, a judge may perform as mediator in a civil or domestic relations matter.

In cases where parties have notified the Court that domestic violence is an alleged issue, parties will not be required to participate in mediation, but parties may still meet with the mediator separately if they agree. Additionally, the mediator may decide that separate sessions are appropriate and necessary in any case. In cases where a domestic violence restraining order has been issued by any court, the parties will not be requested or ordered to mediate in person. [Ord. 81, amended, 1/6/2023; Ord. 63, renumbered, 12/6/2019; Rule mod. dated 8/2018 dated 8/2018; Ord. 48 § 10.2, amended, 1/6/2017; Ord. 26, amended, 4/1/2012; Ord. 19, amended, 10/22/2008. Formerly 2.10.450.]