Patrick Neale is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil mediator. His extensive experience in transactional, multi-party negotiations on a world wide level gives him unique insight into the dynamics of an dispute. That insight allows him to assist the parties in reaching a mutually agreed upon solution that is an alternative to allowing the courts to determine the outcome. What is Mediation?Mediation is one form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that allows parties to seek a remedy for their conflict without a court trial. Parties work with a mediator, who is a neutral third party. Florida requires that Supreme Court Certified Mediators receive extensive training and are required to observe and participate in several real mediations before certification is granted. Ideally, a mediator will have some training or background in the area related to your dispute. Unlike a judge or jury, a mediator does not decide who wins; rather, a mediator facilitates communication between the parties and helps identify issues and solutions. The goal is for all parties to reach an acceptable agreement. Mediation can be an appealing option because it is less adversarial than litigation. This might be important when the relationship between the parties must continue in the future, such as between a divorcing couple with children. The process is also less formal than court proceedings. Mediation often costs less than litigation, and it generally takes much less time than a traditional lawsuit. While litigation can drag on for years, mediation can typically be completed within a few months. Court systems are embracing mediation and other forms of ADR in an effort to clear their clogged dockets. While some programs are voluntary, most Florida jurisdictions require ADR as a mandatory step before a lawsuit can proceed. Mediation can be used in a variety of cases, and it is sometimes required by a contract between the parties. Mediation is often a successful way to reach a settlement, but if parties fail to resolve their conflict, information learned during mediation is protected as confidential under Florida law. What is is offered or revealed in mediation cannot be used against you later in the case if you do not resolve the matter at mediation. Contact us today to help determine if mediation can be a valuable tool to resolve your case. SchedulingMediation services are available Monday through Friday, for full days or half days. Evening start times and weekends are available by special request at higher rates that the below schedule. To schedule a mediation
Dispute Types Mediated- General Civil Litigation
- Business to Business
- Business Organizations
- Commercial Transactions
- Construction
- Real Estate
- Land Use & Zoning
- Condominium & Homeowners Association
Rates and TermsFees - Two Represented Parties - $135/hour/party
- Three or more Parties - $100/party/hour
- If any party is pro se, there is a $75/hour surcharge on the above rates.
Minimum Fee: Half day session, which is three hours at the applicable rate. Full-day session, which is six hours at the applicable rate. Time is billed in 0.2 hour increments. Travel Time: No charge for travel time in Collier or Lee county. If there is travel which requires an overnight stay or air travel, transportation, lodging and food will be charged at the actual cost. Preparation Time: The hourly rate set out above applies to time spent reviewing summaries and summary documents. Payment Credit is only extended to counsel. Counsel is responsible for payment. Counsel may wish to require that their clients provide them with sufficient funds to cover the mediation fee or that the client bring a check or credit card to the mediation to pay the fee. Cancellation Fee Half -day sessions: There is no cancellation fee if cancelled seven (7) calendar days or more in advance of the scheduled date. If cancelled after the cancellation period expires, there will be a cancellation fee of two (2) hours at the applicable rate charged. Full-day sessions: There is no cancellation fee if cancelled seven (7) calendar days or more in advance of the scheduled date. If cancelled after the cancellation period expires, there will be a cancellation fee of four (4) hours at the applicable rate charged. Authority to SettleFlorida statute requires that each party have a representative other than their counsel present at the mediation who is authorized to settle the subject matter of the mediation. |