Local Rule LR12-603. Civil mediation.

A. Scope. The court may, under Rule 1-016 NMRA, refer cases to mediation, in the discretion of the judge. B. Application. This rule applies to all civil cases, whether jury or non-jury. C. Alternative dispute resolution surcharge. Under Section 34-6-45 NMSA 1978, the district court clerk shall collect a fifteen dollar ($15.00) surcharge for all new and reopened cases except domestic relations cases, which are charged a surcharge under LR12-401. The surcharge shall be in addition to the civil filing fee required under Section 34-6-40 NMSA 1978 for new and reopened cases. See Rule 1-099 NMRA for the definition of reopened cases. The district court clerk shall deposit all surcharges collected under this local rule in the “alternative dispute resolution fund.” D. Mediation fees. Each party shall pay a fee to the court clerk’s office to offset the costs of the alternative dispute resolution program before mediation has begun. The parties shall fill out a financial information sheet and their fee shall be determined by using the sliding fee scale approved by the Supreme Court.