ADR Quick Resource Guide

What is ADR?
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the common term for different ways of settling a dispute other than going to court.  ADR includes mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation, settlement conferences, as well as special masters and referees.  The law library posted a brief article about ADR Tools on our blog.

• • The Alameda Superior Court has compiled information about ADR resources in Alameda County.
  • The Alameda County Superior Court ADR Program can be contacted in the following ways:
    • Telephone: (510) 891-6055
    • Email: adrprogram@alameda.courts.ca.gov
  • You can find more information about ADR and lists of mediators and judicial arbitrators are available here on the Alameda Court’s website.

Forms

• • In Alameda County, the person who files a civil lawsuit (plaintiff) must include the ADR Information Packet with the complaint when serving the defendant, see C.R.C. 3.221.  Cross complainants must serve the ADR Information Packet on any new parties named to the action.  Alameda has an ADR forms packet (PDF, external) on the court website.
  • Alternatively, the individual forms are located with the Alameda County local forms.
  • For Federal Court, the Northern District of California also has forms located on their ADR page.

Videos

LA Law Library

Civil Lawsuit Basics:  Why & How to Settle a Case

Books

• • California Practice Guide, Alternative Dispute Resolution, KFC1093 .K5, shelf 117A.  Also available online via Westlaw
  • Bench Handbook: Judges guide to ADR, KFC782 .D4 2003, shelf 114A.  Also available online via CEB OnLaw.
  • California civil procedure before trial, KFC995 .C342 2004, Chapter 45, shelf 116A.  Also available online via CEB OnLaw.
  • California Forms of Pleading and Practice, KFC1010 .A65 C3, volume 4, chapters 30-39, shelf 106A. Also available online via Lexis and the Lexis Digital Library.

Mediation Service Programs serving Alameda County

• • Center for Community Dispute Settlement
    291 McLeod Street, Livermore, CA 94550
    Telephones: (925) 337-7175 | (925) 337-2915 (Spanish)
    Center for Community Dispute Settlement website
    CCDS provides services in the Tri-Valley area for all of Alameda County.
  • The Congress of Neutrals
    3478 Buskirk Avenue, Suite 1000, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
    Telephone: (925) 937-3008
    Congress of Neutrals website
    Email:  contact@congressofneutrals.org
    The Congress of Neutrals provides mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services, including mediation.  They offer better than competitive rates and we offer a need-based sliding scale for those eligible.  Contact them for more information.
  • JAMS San Francisco Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Services
    2 Embarcadero Ctr #1500, San Francisco, CA 94111
    Phone: (415) 982-5267
    JAMS can provide in-person, virtual, and hybrid services to help patrons resolve their issues without going to court.
  • San Francisco Bar Association Mediation Referral Services
    BASF’s panel of mediators work to help parties find a mutually agreeable resolution for almost any kind of conflict.  This ADR Directory provides references for mediators, arbitrators, and special masters in Northern California.

Updated 4.24.2026