The Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan in Grand Rapids now offers online dispute resolution (ODR) and online mediation. These online services, launched May 2020, complement its in-person and phone mediation options. The online program is available free of charge to people who live and work in Kent, Ionia, and Newaygo counties in Michigan.
The Community Dispute Resolution Program is supported by the Michigan Supreme Court. In a radio interview, Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack shared that the service is available to people to settle contract, landlord-tenant, and neighborhood disputes without having to go to court.
“They can do it for cases already filed, use your smart phone, with a mediator or not, you can do without taking a day off work, find childcare and other hassles of going to a courthouse. In the middle of a pandemic, it’s really good to have this option.”
Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack interviewed by WGVU
The launch was also covered by WOODTV (see video).
Learn more
- Read and listen to the full story on WGVUnews
- Visit the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan’s
- Read more about the statewide rollout of MI-Resolve online dispute resolution
- Learn about online dispute resolution from Matterhorn