Maine Alternative Dispute Resolution FAQs

• Q: What Is Complaint Mediation?
  A: Complaint mediation is a way to settle disputes where the two parties to the dispute work through a third person to solve their problem. It is a simple and informal … More
• Q: How Does Consumer Mediation Service Work?
  A: Your complaint is reviewed to determine if it can be mediated. If it appears that it can be, a copy of your written complaint is then forwarded to the business for its … More
• Q: How Do I Start The Mediation Process?
  A: To start the mediation process, fill out a Consumer Complaint Petition, available from the Consumer Protection Division. Fill out the form completely and legibly. … More
• Q: How Long Does It Take?
  A: An average complaint takes five to six weeks to work its way through the system. Some will take longer. Please be patient! The mediator assigned to your case is a … More
• Q: New Information, Settlement, Etc.
  A: If you receive any additional information after sending in your complaint that we should know about, please send it to us in writing. Likewise, should you settle the … More
• Q: What Complaints Are Not Mediated?
  A: We do not mediate disputes between private parties (i.e., where neither party is a business), business versus business disputes, disputes outside of our jurisdiction … More
• Q: What If Maine Law Is Violated?
  A: This office cannot possibly prosecute all violations of Maine law. As a matter of policy, we must confine our activities to those cases where large numbers of … More
• Q: Does Mediation Work?
  A: We cannot guarantee mediation will work or that you will receive everything you want. But we do believe mediation often works, and works well. If our mediation efforts … More
• Q: What If Mediation Doesnt Work?
  A: If our attempts at mediating your complaint have been unsuccessful and there is nothing more we can do, there are still several things you can do for yourself. For … More
• Q: Do I Have To Have Mediation?
  A: Mediation is a voluntary process; the parties must agree in writing that their dispute will be conducted under the applicable mediation rules of the AAA. This may be … More

Click here to view general Alternative Dispute Resolution FAQs