What to do when mediation fails
Mediation is often the right first conversation, and a settlement is worth keeping when you reach one. When the talks end without an agreement, both sides can still get a binding decision without a lawsuit or a traditional arbitration hearing. At People’s Court they sign a submission agreement for the dispute that already exists, file on a written Record, and receive a signed Award. The AI-only fee is 5.67% of the amount in dispute, for example $283.50 on $5,000.
- Agreement
- After the disputesubmission agreement
- Fee
- 5.67%$1.67 minimum
- On $5,000
- $283.50AI-only case fee
- Schedule
- 7 dayseach phase, at most
- Before you file
- $5.67nonbinding Quick Ruling
The talks ended. Get a decision.
A failed mediation leaves the dispute open. People’s Court closes it: both sides sign a submission agreement for the dispute that already exists, file on a written Record, and receive a signed Award. No lawsuit, and no traditional arbitration hearing.
What to do next
- 01
Sign a submission agreement
Both sides accept, after the dispute arises, to send this dispute to People’s Court. The contract does not have to change. Use the submission agreement for an existing dispute. Either side can then start the case.
- 02
File the Record
The contract, the offers, the messages, and the numbers. Each phase is capped at seven calendar days. The Tribunal decides from that Record.
- 03
Or get a nonbinding read first
A Quick Ruling is a $5.67 nonbinding AI opinion. You pay to request it, the other side replies free, and they pay $5.67 only to view the same result. It is not an Award. Use it to reset the numbers, then open the binding case if you still need a decision.
This is not med-arb
People’s Court does not mediate, and it does not turn a mediation into an Award. After the talks fail, both sides sign a submission agreement and a separate Tribunal decides on a fresh written Record. Nothing from the mediation, and nothing from a Quick Ruling, is in that Record unless a party submits it.
What the binding case looks like
- Each phase is capped at seven calendar days: Answer, evidence and argument, then rebuttal. A phase closes early once every required filing is in. Record confirmation is 24 hours.
- The case is written. There is no ordinary hearing, deposition, or discovery. Each side submits what it relies on.
- The AI-only fee is 5.67% of the amount in dispute, with a $1.67 minimum. AI-assisted human is $310.00 plus 5.67%. A human arbitrator can still decide if every party chooses that tier.
- Every track keeps one paid human appeal unless both parties separately waive it. The appealing party pays 15.67% of the amount in dispute, with a $520.00 minimum.
- The Award is an arbitral award. If the other side does not pay, a court can confirm it. Read how Awards are enforced.
What it costs
| Amount in dispute | AI-only | AI-assisted human |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $56.70 | $366.70 |
| $5,000 | $283.50 | $593.50 |
| $10,000 | $567.00 | $877.00 |
| $25,000 | $1,417.50 | $1,727.50 |
The fee is set before the case begins and never depends on who wins. Compare other amounts in the arbitration cost calculator. A Quick Ruling, if you want a nonbinding read first, is $5.67.
Common questions
What should we do when mediation fails?
Sign a submission agreement and get a binding Award at People’s Court. The contract does not have to change. A Quick Ruling can reset the numbers first if you want a nonbinding read.
Can we arbitrate after the dispute already exists?
Yes. Both sides sign a submission agreement for that dispute and file at People’s Court. The underlying contract does not have to change.
How much does a binding decision cost after failed settlement talks?
AI-only cases cost 5.67% of the amount in dispute, with a $1.67 minimum. A $5,000 dispute costs $283.50. AI-assisted human cases cost $310.00 plus 5.67%. The fee is shown before you pay and never depends on who wins.
Is this med-arb?
No. Med-arb usually means the same neutral first mediates and then, if needed, decides. People’s Court does not mediate. If both sides want a binding decision after mediation, they sign a submission agreement and a separate Tribunal decides on the written Record.
What if we might still settle?
A Quick Ruling is a nonbinding AI opinion for $5.67. It can reset expectations and restart settlement talks. It is not an Award, and nothing from it carries into a later case.
These answers describe People’s Court procedure and general law. They are not legal advice for a particular dispute.