About Us

The Congress of Neutrals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation which grew out of comparative studies of community dispute resolution methods used in Japan and the United States. Established in 2000, we are now a recognized leader in dispute resolution services. We provide education and training to citizens, law students, professionals and community organizations, and the scope and breadth of our services continues to grow.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Program. The Congress of Neutrals provides mediation services in small claims, unlawful detainer and civil harassment cases throughout Contra Costa County. Participation in these mediations, which are held on the day of trial at each of the local branch courts (Concord, Pittsburg, Richmond and Walnut Creek), is free of charge, voluntary and confidential.

In 2009, we began a pilot program to provide small claims litigants with the opportunity to participate in a telephone mediation on an agreed upon date prior to the date of trial. To learn more about telephone mediation, click here.

Since the program’s inception in 2001, the number of mediations we have performed for the court on an annual basis has increased dramatically, and in 2007, we provided a total of 848 mediations. The Congress also has a mentoring program for new mediators which provides them with volunteer mediation opportunities at the court under the supervision of experienced staff through our Mediation Mentoring Program (MMP).

Training and Education. Since 2002, we have been a recognized leader in conflict management and communication skills training and education. We provide customized trainings for community organizations, governmental agencies, law students and professionals. Examples of such trainings include the following:

  • City of Hercules employee relations training
  • Kaiser Permanente, Oakland
  • John F. Kennedy University School of Law
  • Building Emergency Response Teams (BERT), Oakland
  • 25-hour mediation skills trainings (prerequisite for volunteer mediation in court)
  • 40-hour mediation skills trainings (for attorneys, mediators and arbitrators)

Community Outreach. The Congress of Neutrals partners with local community groups, schools, neighborhoods, religious and other nonprofit organizations to promote harmony and the peaceful resolution of conflict. Beginning in January of 2010, we expanded our outreach efforts by launching a new Lawyers in the Library program in conjunction with the Contra Costa County Public Law Library. This free service involves local volunteer attorneys who give limited general advice and guidance to self-represented litigants in Contra Costa County.

Where:

Contra Costa County Public Law Library
1020 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 646-2783
When:

Second Tuesday of each Month
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.