mediation
Synonyms for &#39;non-court&#39; venues
<p>There may be a need to take an HOA to court for breach of contract.  Before filing in small claims court, it makes sense to search the governing document for any requirements to resolve the matter in <a href="https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/mediation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">non-court venues</a>.  What are the synonyms for non-court venues.  I Googled mediation and found these synonyms:</p>

<pre><code>arbitration
conciliation
intervention
negotiation
reconciliation
intercession
interposition
</code></pre>

<p>Any additions to the list (please edit this post) are appreciated.</p>

<p>Are there any 'obvious' (to a seasoned professional) synonyms that have been missed?  </p>

<p>Except <em>arbitration</em>, many of the terms you list are essentially synonymous to <em>mediation</em>.</p>

<p>Doubting that (and without knowing whether) this is any different in Florida, I can say that in Michigan the Small Claims court orders the parties to attend mediation, and the court schedules one accordingly. Mediation is a prerequisite before small claims court even schedules a court hearing. A party loses the case if he or she does not attend mediation.</p>

<p>Whenever possible (in this or other matters), avoid arbitration and any clauses that require it --or list it-- for dispute resolution. Wrong rulings from arbitration are very hard to reverse even if the law and the evidence clearly support the party who should have prevailed.</p>
