In 1988, the Michigan Legislature passed the community Dispute Resolution Act which established the Community Dispute Resolution Program. That Program helps fund Community Dispute Resolution Centers throughout Michigan. There are currently 27 such Centers throughout the state which provide conciliation, mediation and other forms of dispute resolution to local citizens of Michigan counties as alternatives to litigation.
The Centers provide trained mediators and facilitators, lawyers and non-lawyers, to resolve all manner of personal or small business disputes, generally without charge or for a nominal fee. Most involve landlord/tenant, consumer/merchant, and small contract disputes but the Centers have also handled contested adult guardianships, juvenile/victim offender, EEOC and ADA cases. Many district courts refer existing cases to the Centers for resolution, and often disputes can be resolved before lawsuits are filed.
The location of the Centers by county and their contact persons are set forth below.