UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
Honorable Frank L. Kurtz Chief Bankruptcy Judge Beverly A. Benka Clerk of Court
Mediation Program
The court has established a mediation program whereby parties to a dispute may request that the matter be submitted to a
mediator to seek resolution. The various forms and documents used in the process are available from this web site.
The General Order dated January 24, 2000 is the order that established the program in the court. The Procedural Requirements
Order dated April 19, 2000 established specific guidelines to be used in the mediation process. The Order Establishing Panel
of Mediators dated July 31, 2000 is the order that appointed mediators to the Panel of Mediators. Biographical Data (see below)
on the members of the panel of mediators is provided to assist in the selection of a mediator. Application for Appointment
to Mediation Panel is for use by individuals who desire to be appointed to the Mediation Panel.
Request for Assignment to Mediation Program and Assignment of Mediator is the form used by the parties to a dispute to request
that the matter to be assigned to the mediator program. Following the request being filed, the assignment to the program is made
by the Order of Assignment to Mediation Program and Assignment of Mediator which is prepared by the court.
Following assignment of a matter to a mediator, the mediator will contact the parties, generally through a Notice of Mediation
Conference and Request for Mediation Conference Statement. Upon completion of the mediation, the mediator will file a Mediator's
Report Regarding Completion of Mediation.
