AB 1523: Court-ordered mediation.

A new law will increase the amount of money that can be involved in a civil case before mediation is allowed, from $50,000 to $75,000. Mediation can only be ordered if there are no ongoing disputes about discovery and at least one party wants to participate. Before mediation, the parties must agree on a mediator, unless the court selects one for them at no cost. The mediation must end with a written statement of agreement or disagreement, and the court will enforce this agreement if the parties agree to it.