Civil and superior court mediation
Civil and Superior Court Mediation in Charlotte and Surrounding Counties
NC Dispute Resolution Commission certified superior court mediator and South Carolina certified circuit court mediator Christopher Adkins resolves contract, injury, real estate, and business disputes.
Mediated settlement conferences in North Carolina superior court
North Carolina requires mediated settlement conferences in superior court civil actions, with narrow exceptions such as petitions for extraordinary writs and appeals of driver’s license revocations. That covers most contract, business, construction, real estate, negligence, personal injury, and professional liability cases filed in superior court. Christopher Adkins is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a superior court mediator and mediates civil cases for litigants and attorneys in Mecklenburg, Stanly, Cabarrus, Iredell, Union, and surrounding counties.
The parties may select a certified mediator by agreement; otherwise the senior resident superior court judge appoints one. The parties, their attorneys, and a representative of any insurance carrier involved must attend unless attendance is excused or modified by agreement of all parties and the mediator or by court order. Other settlement procedures, such as neutral evaluation or arbitration, may be approved in place of mediation.
Civil disputes we mediate
Contracts and commercial disputes
Breach of contract, unpaid invoices, vendor and customer disputes, non-competes, and commercial leases. Business and contract mediation.
Personal injury and negligence
Motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, and other injury claims, often with insurance adjusters participating.
Real estate and construction
Construction defects, contractor payment disputes, boundary disputes, easements, and purchase contract failures.
Employment and partnership
Wage claims, separation and severance terms, and disputes among LLC members, partners, and shareholders.
HOA and neighbor disputes
Covenant enforcement, architectural approvals, and planned community disputes, including voluntary prelitigation mediation.
Estate litigation
Will caveats and estate disputes that move to superior court. See estate and guardianship mediation.
How we run a productive civil mediation
- Pre-mediation contact. The mediator speaks with counsel about the claims, damages, insurance, liens, and who must be present with settlement authority.
- Confidential summaries. Attorneys may submit short confidential statements so the mediator arrives prepared on liability and damages issues.
- Opening and caucus. After brief introductions, parties typically work in separate caucus rooms. The mediator carries proposals, asks hard questions, and helps each side evaluate the risk and cost of trial.
- Closing the deal. When terms are reached, a written memorandum of settlement is signed at the table so the agreement does not unravel on the way home. The mediator then files the report required by the court.
South Carolina circuit court mediation
Across the state line, South Carolina’s ADR rules make most civil actions in circuit court subject to court-ordered mediation. Christopher Adkins is a South Carolina certified circuit court mediator, so he can mediate York County circuit court cases involving Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Clover parties. South Carolina mediation.
In person or virtual
Civil mediations can be held at our Huntersville or Locust offices, at counsel’s office, or by secure video conference. Hybrid sessions work well when an insurance representative or out-of-state party needs to join remotely.
Talk with a mediator about your situation
Mediation Solutions helps families, businesses, and litigants in Huntersville, Charlotte, Locust, Albemarle, Rock Hill, and Fort Mill resolve disputes privately. Call or text to ask about scheduling, fees, and whether mediation fits your case.
Offices: 9620 Sherrill Estates Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 · 217 W. Main Street, Locust, NC 28097 · Virtual sessions available.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a superior court mediated settlement conference?
Unless the parties agree otherwise or the court orders differently, the mediator’s fee is typically shared equally by the parties. Fees for court-appointed mediators are set by North Carolina court rules.
Is mediation required before trial in NC superior court?
In most civil actions, yes. The court orders a mediated settlement conference, and the case generally cannot proceed to trial until the conference is held or excused.
Can we mediate before filing a lawsuit?
Yes. Pre-suit mediation is often the fastest way to resolve a business or contract dispute, and it avoids filing fees and public pleadings.
What if one party is an insurance company?
A representative of the carrier with settlement authority is generally required to attend. The mediator coordinates attendance and participation in advance.