Government Conflict Resolution Services (GCRS)

GCRS services can be conducted in-person or virtually.

The number of sessions and length of each session depends on the complexity of the issues and the preferences of the participants, with guidance from the assigned GCRS impartial conflict resolver.

If an agreement is reached, it may be memorialized in a written agreement signed by all parties or other document as the parties agree. An paper or electronic copy of the signed agreement is provided to each party.

Government Conflict Resolution Services (GCRS) is a dispute resolution program offered by the Supreme Court of Ohio to assist local and county public officials in resolving and preventing disputes on a wide variety of topics without court involvement.

Examples of disputes that may benefit from GCRS include fiscal, budget, operations management (planning, logistics, materials, risk management, internal controls, organizational design, procedures), facilities maintenance, policy implementation (administrative rule, internal procedures), public records requests, communication, other organizational issues, and zoning. GCRS can be used for disputes between local or county governmental entities or between public officials in the same office.

No, GCRS is only for disputes involving county or local public officials.

GCRS is available at no cost to the participants.

Requests can be made by filling out a GCRS Request for Services form and submitting it electronically through the GCRS website or contacting the Dispute Resolution Section by telephone at 614.387.9420 or by email at DisputeResolution@sc.ohio.gov.

Mediation, neutral evaluation and facilitation are provided through GCRS.

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party (the mediator) facilitates communication and negotiation between the parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary agreement. The mediator helps the parties clarify their positions and interests, identify underlying concerns, and create solutions for resolving their dispute.

Neutral evaluation is a process in which the parties in conflict present their claims or defenses and describe the principal evidence on which their claims or defenses are based, to a neutral third party (the neutral evaluator) who then shares impressions about the strengths and weaknesses of each matter. The parties may decide to adopt the evaluation, mediate additional terms of an agreement, or use a different method to address the dispute. Neutral evaluation can be helpful in situations where the parties are far apart in their views on how the law applies to the situation or the amount of funds in question.

A process in which a neutral party (the facilitator) guides a group through a participatory and inclusive process and moderates the discussion to provide for an orderly exchange of information and ideas from all participants. The facilitator assists participants with communication to help them resolve their disputes and work more effectively with each other.

Inquiries about GCRS services are confidential. Additionally, participants usually agree to keep discussions during GCRS services confidential subject to the exceptions specified in the Uniform Mediation Act (Ohio Revised Code chapter 2710). However, certain public bodies or officers may be subject to Ohio’s Open Meetings Act (Ohio Revised Code section 121.22), in which case GCRS communications would not be confidential.