California Alternative Dispute Resolution Forms - ADR Forms
The California ADR Form Vault
California Alternative Dispute Resolution Forms, aka ADR Forms: If you file a civil lawsuit, you must include the appropriate ADR Information Packet with the complaint when serving the defendant.
Cross complainants must also serve the ADR Information Packet on any new parties named to the action. While you are here, take a moment to check our flat rate pricing for Process Service and give us a call or email with any questions!
The Ins & Outs Of ADR
- Faster Litigation can take years to complete, but ADR usually takes weeks or months
- Cheaper Parties can save on attorneys fees and litigation costs
- More control and flexibility Parties choose the ADR process appropriate for their case
- Cooperative and less stressful In mediation, parties cooperate to find a mutually agreeable resolution
- Preserve relationships. A mediator can help you effectively communicate your interests and point of view to the other side. This is an important benefit when you want to preserve a relationship.
- You may go to court anyway. If you cannot resolve your dispute using ADR, you may still have to spend time and money resolving your lawsuit through the courts.
- Mediation A neutral person (mediator) helps the parties communicate, clarify facts, identify legal issues, explore settlement options, and agree on a solution acceptable to all sides.
- Court Mediation Program: Mediators do not charge fees for the first two hours of mediation. If parties need more time, they must pay the mediators regular fees. Some mediators ask for a deposit before mediation starts, which is subject to a refund for unused time.
- Private Mediation: This is mediation where the parties pay the mediators regular fees and may choose a mediator outside the court’s panel.
- Arbitration A neutral person (the arbitrator) hears arguments and evidence from each side and then decides the outcome of the dispute. Arbitration is less formal than a trial, and the rules of evidence are often relaxed. Arbitration is effective when the parties want someone other than themselves to decide the outcome.
- Judicial Arbitration Program (non-binding): The judge can refer a case or the parties can agree to use judicial arbitration. The parties select an arbitrator from a list provided by the court. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, one will be assigned by the court. There is no fee for the arbitrator. The arbitrator must send the decision (award of the arbitrator) to the court. The parties have the right to reject the award and proceed to trial.
- Private Arbitration (binding and non-binding) occurs when parties involved in a dispute either agree or are contractually obligated. This option takes place outside of the courts and is normally binding, meaning the arbitrator’s decision is final.
CA ADR Forms
Select your county below to open its official court resource for ADR information, forms, and downloads. Some links open a court page rather than a PDF. Use the forms currently provided by that court. If an ADR packet is not listed, contact the court clerk to confirm which documents are required for your case.
County notes, checked September 14, 2026: Inyo’s current local rules include ADR forms in Appendix I. Mariposa provides an official ADR packet. For Lassen, Tehama, Yuba and Mono, a complete current civil ADR packet was not located online; use the linked official court resource and ask the civil clerk for the current ADR information package before serving your documents. Other counties may publish separate forms rather than one combined packet.
- Alameda County Superior Court
- Amador County Superior Court
- Butte County Superior Court
- Calaveras County Superior Court
- Contra Costa County Superior Court (Limited Case)
- Contra Costa County Superior Court (Unlimited Case)
- El Dorado County Superior Court
- Fresno County Superior Court
- Humboldt County Superior Court
- Imperial County Superior Court
- Inyo County Superior Court
- Kern County Superior Court
- Lassen County Superior Court
- Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Marin County Superior Court
- Mariposa County Superior Court
- Mendocino County Superior Court
- Merced County Superior Court
- Mono County Superior Court
- Monterey County Superior Court
- Napa County Superior Court
- Nevada County Superior Court
- Orange County Superior Court
- Riverside County Superior Court
- Sacramento County Superior Court
- San Bernardino County Superior Court
- San Diego County Superior Court
- San Francisco County Superior Court
- San Joaquin County Superior Court
- San Luis Obispo County Superior Court
- San Mateo County Superior Court
- Santa Barbara County Superior Court
- Santa Clara County Superior Court
- Shasta County Superior Court
- Siskiyou County Superior Court
- Solano County Superior Court
- Stanislaus County Superior Court
- Tehama County Superior Court
- Tulare County Superior Court
- Tuolumne County Superior Court
- Ventura County Superior Court
- Yolo County Superior Court
- Yuba County Superior Court
25+ Years Of Experience Serving Legal Professionals
Why Choose JPL Process Service, LLC?
SPEED
Even before we receive your order, we’re always looking for new ways to speed up service. Don’t risk your cases, close them quicker.
SECURE CLIENT PORTAL
Get updates or PDF copies of your documents through your secure client portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
AUTOMATION
Once you’ve completed your order, we automate as much of the process as possible to cut your costs and eliminate as much waste as possible.
EASY, ONLINE ORDERS
Take the frustration out of getting your documents and process services over to us. Start your order online in less than 5 minutes.
VALUE
Delivering over 25 years of value-based experience in every single serve. Absolutely no excuses -- If we can't serve it, no one can!
NATIONWIDE NETWORK
Stop wasting time searching for a nationwide process server! No matter where you need service, you get a one-stop shop for all your process service needs.
EXPERTISE
Our servers are bonded and insured to protect you, your paperwork and your clients from exposure with comprehensive training to ensure compliance.
HUMAN CONTACT
We answer our phones during normal business hours and reply to ALL emails by the next business day!