Utah Dispute Resolution

Community Mediation

Utah Dispute Resolution (UDR) is a private, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing mediation services and training on conflict resolution to residents in Utah. UDR uses trained, qualified volunteer mediators to provide services.

UDR operates a community mediation center with two offices. UDR's headquarters is located in the Law and Justice Center in Salt Lake City and provides service to Utahns in central and southern parts of the state. A satellite office in Ogden provides service to northern Utah communities.

Utah Dispute Resolution exists to provide mediation and conflict resolution services to low- and middle-income Utahns with financial need. Fees are based on a sliding scale that takes into account income, family size, and/or amount of money in dispute. In many cases, there is no charge for mediation services. See specific program areas to learn more about the UDR fee structure.

UDR Brochure

F.A.Q.

• Mediation is often faster and less expensive than other methods of resolving disputes.
• Mediation allows the parties in dispute to control the outcome.
• Mediation occurs in a safe and fair setting.
• Mediation is confidential.
• Mediated settlements are more likely to end the dispute.

What programs and services does UDR offer?
Utah Dispute Resolution provides services in the following program areas. Click the link to learn more about each program.

Community Mediation - includes disputes between:
neighbors (such as noise, disturbances, animals, and property disagreements); consumers and merchants (such as product and service performance issues, payments, and debts or loans); landlords and tenants (such as security deposits, rent, repairs, damages, evictions); workplace relationships (such as employee grievances, discrimination claims, wage disputes, employee-employee disputes, and employee-manager disputes); business relationships (such as contract issues and partnership issues).

Family Mediation - includes divorce, separation, paternity, divorce modification, parent time and visitation issues, parent-child disputes, friendship and roommate disputes, custody, elder care, and end-of-life decisions.

Training Seminars - includes public workshops to learn mediation and conflict resolution skills; customized workshops designed to meet the specific needs of organizations regarding conflict resolution and communication; and facilitation services.

Youth Programs - includes conflict resolution and peer mediation training for middle-school and high-school students.

Court Programs - includes mediation for small claims filings, small claims appeals, and district court cases involving debt collections.

Does mediation replace the need for legal advice?
Mediation is an alternative to litigation, avoidance, destructive confrontation, or violence. However, mediation does not replace the need for legal advice. It is often helpful for parties to enter mediation with some understanding of the law. For that reason, parties are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel to understand their rights. UDR staff and mediators do not provide legal advice as part of the mediation process. Click here for information on available legal resources in Utah. Client Resources

Does UDR provide legal advice?
UDR does not offer legal services or provide legal advice. Parties are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel to understand their rights. Click here for links to legal resources. Client Resources

When and how was UDR founded?
Utah Dispute Resolution (UDR) was established in 1991 under the direction of the Utah State Bar. In 1996, UDR was established as an independent organization; it received a 501 (c) (3) status from the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit corporation in 1997. UDR has operated independently from the Utah State Bar since that time. UDR is funded primarily by private grants and donations, and from monies raised through training efforts. Click here to learn more. UDR Funding

What is UDR's mission?
UDR's mission statement was established in 1996 when the organization attained status as a private, nonprofit corporation.

Utah Dispute Resolution (UDR) exists to provide residents of Utah with quality mediation and conciliation services, including information and training in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as well as means to successfully, informally, and cooperatively resolve their disputes.

What are the career prospects for mediators?
As a profession, mediation is still relatively new. People interested in a career as mediator are cautioned to have realistic expectations. There are few employment positions for mediators. Most practitioners who earn a living as mediators have spent years developing their skills, building their reputations, and establishing their businesses. Transitioning into a career as mediator will probably take time.

What are the Utah requirements to practice mediation?Currently, the State of Utah requires no license to practice mediation. The Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) does offer an optional license called, ADR Practitioner-Mediator. The Utah State Courts maintains a Roster of Mediators who meet a set of minimum standards. Even though mediators are not legally required to obtain a license to practice in Utah, they are ethically bound to follow the statutes, court rules, and standards that govern this field.

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