Fees
John Derrick offers a simple and transparent pricing policy with actual mediation time on the day the only chargeable item and everything else built into that amount:
Hourly rate on the day: John’s hourly rate for mediations in and around Santa Barbara — in person or via Zoom — is $500, with a four-hour minimum. He offers the same rate for Zoom mediations in cases litigated elsewhere.
Preparation included: Preparation is very important, but John builds this into his hourly rate for actual mediation time on the day and does not charge extra. This includes reading mediation briefs and having pre-mediation phone conferences. The same goes for reasonable amounts of follow-up.
No extra charges: There is no administration charge, and no charge for travel time. With in-person mediations in Santa Barbara, the rate includes the cost of the venue.
Smaller case special rate: Mediation is a very cost-effective form of dispute resolution compared with litigation. But the cost can still seem high for parties caught up in smaller disputes and those with limited funds. So with cases where the claim is for less than $25,000, and others that qualify under the “limited civil” category in Superior Court, John is offering a Zoom-only, half-day special rate of $1,000 (up to four hours) during 2023. This amount — $500 per party in a two-sided case — is well below market rates. John offers this as a service to encourage parties to settle smaller disputes before they get out of hand — and especially before a lawsuit is even filed — and to make it easier for those with limited resources to receive the benefits of skilled mediation.
Cancellation and rescheduling policy: Things happen. No one should mediate if they are not feeling up to it. So John does not charge cancellation or rescheduling fees. He asks only that parties do not take unreasonable advantage of this, since last-minute changes are disruptive to people’s schedules and can result in out-of-pocket expenses.
Small print: Unless otherwise agreed, fees are split between the parties. Advance payment of the four-hour minimum charge is appreciated and may be required for new clients. Any excess is billed subsequently. Deposits are refundable if the mediation is cancelled and not rescheduled. John’s rates for in-person mediations outside Santa Barbara and neighboring counties may be higher.
Hourly rate on the day: John’s hourly rate for mediations in and around Santa Barbara — in person or via Zoom — is $500, with a four-hour minimum. He offers the same rate for Zoom mediations in cases litigated elsewhere.
Preparation included: Preparation is very important, but John builds this into his hourly rate for actual mediation time on the day and does not charge extra. This includes reading mediation briefs and having pre-mediation phone conferences. The same goes for reasonable amounts of follow-up.
No extra charges: There is no administration charge, and no charge for travel time. With in-person mediations in Santa Barbara, the rate includes the cost of the venue.
Smaller case special rate: Mediation is a very cost-effective form of dispute resolution compared with litigation. But the cost can still seem high for parties caught up in smaller disputes and those with limited funds. So with cases where the claim is for less than $25,000, and others that qualify under the “limited civil” category in Superior Court, John is offering a Zoom-only, half-day special rate of $1,000 (up to four hours) during 2023. This amount — $500 per party in a two-sided case — is well below market rates. John offers this as a service to encourage parties to settle smaller disputes before they get out of hand — and especially before a lawsuit is even filed — and to make it easier for those with limited resources to receive the benefits of skilled mediation.
Cancellation and rescheduling policy: Things happen. No one should mediate if they are not feeling up to it. So John does not charge cancellation or rescheduling fees. He asks only that parties do not take unreasonable advantage of this, since last-minute changes are disruptive to people’s schedules and can result in out-of-pocket expenses.
Small print: Unless otherwise agreed, fees are split between the parties. Advance payment of the four-hour minimum charge is appreciated and may be required for new clients. Any excess is billed subsequently. Deposits are refundable if the mediation is cancelled and not rescheduled. John’s rates for in-person mediations outside Santa Barbara and neighboring counties may be higher.