• Private Judging and Mediation

Private judging and mediation in family law cases are clear alternatives to the superior court process. Our experience has been that Private Judging provides a smoother, more efficient and more personal process that in many instances results in a more cost-effective resolution.

Private Judging also provides personal judicial access and resources to resolve complex matters. Parties in a family law matter may request, retain or choose Steve as a private Judge to make binding, neutral, fair decisions regarding all or some of the issues in their case. The decision made by private settlement Judges have the same force and effect as that of a superior court Judge.

The parties may also select Steve to conduct a private settlement conference in an effort to avoid costs and the many uncertainties of a trial. Of course, Private Judging is not for everyone.

In the case of a simple, uncontested divorce, enlisting the assistance of Steve as a private Judge may be a waste of money. In such an example, couples simply fill out the paperwork, turn it into the court and the divorce is granted in practically six months. Assistance in completing the forms required by the superior court may be received at the court’s family court self-help center or through the lower-cost retention of an independent paralegal.

• Advantages of Private Judging and Mediation
• Is Your Case Right for Private Judging or Mediation?
• Variations and Individual Circumstances
• Where Do Hearings of Trials Take Place?
• How is Private Judging Different From Mediation?
• Is the Private Judge’s Order Binding?
• The Cost of Private Judging and Mediation
• Why use Stephen B. Ruben for This Process?

Advantages of Private Judging and Mediation

The hearing, settlement conference, or trial before a private judge can be set at the convenience of the parties and their attorneys. Often this proves to be a financial benefit to both parties, especially considering the time it takes attorneys to prepare for superior court appearances only to have them continued to a later date requiring the attorneys to prepare a second time at the parties’ expense.

Private Judging can also be utilized for short hearings, discovery matters or emergency orders quickly and informally which saves a tremendous amount of time and money. Many of these matters may be conducted by telephonic appearance with Steve Ruben.

Is Your Case Right for Private Judging or Mediation?

Cases that are best suited for Private Judging and Mediation are those involving

• Both parties are interested in a cost-efficient resolution
• Parties desire more control over their issue than is allowed in the Supreme
• Court Process to structure and schedule hearings on immediate matters regarding child custody, spousal and child support.
• Parties and their respective attorneys desire the convenience of scheduling their (set) dates for your private Judging or mediation.
• Parties are interested in settlement.
• Parties desire a prompt hearing or settlement conference

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Variations and Individual Circumstances

Private judging and mediation can be tailored to fit the specific needs of the parties based on their individual circumstances. For example:

• The ability to schedule settlement conferences before a highly skilled family law attorney, which may save the parties thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees.
• The parties determine how formal or informal the Judging will be.
• The parties determine whether the decisions made by the Private Judge will be binding, which means the decision is final with no right to appeal.
• The convenience of the parties to set the date and time.
• The parties determine what the scope of discovery will be for each party.

Where Do Hearings or Trials Take Place?

Most hearings are scheduled in our office located at 650 California Street, 25th floor in San Francisco. When it is convenient, we may hold the trial or hearing at one of the representing attorneys’ offices. Also, we may utilize offices of another law firm not representing either party or an alternative setting that is mutually acceptable to all parties involved.

How is Private Judging Different From Mediation?

In mediation, the parties work with a neutral and un-biased mediator in a confidential setting in an effort to resolve your issues and differences and finalize a result that is mutually acceptable to both parties involved. In mediation the parties are free to work with the neutral mediator and craft unique solutions to legal problems, whether the Superior Court Judge would allow the ruling or not.

In the alternative, as private judge, Steve Ruben works with both parties to settle your case to the best of my ability. If the parties cannot come to a mutual agreement, Steve will make an informed decision based on the law and the facts of each respective case.

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Is the Private Judge’s Order Binding?

Yes. Private Judging is not a preliminary finding nor is it an informal opinion which the parties must confirm by returning to court. The private judge’s ruling is just as binding and enforceable as a superior court judge’s decision. That is why it is imperative that you find the correct private judge to hear your matter. (For additional information, please see link to my Biography at, www.rubenlawfirm.com ).

The Cost of Private Judging and Mediation

For services as a private Judge, Mediator, or Arbitrator Steve Ruben charges an hourly rate of $425. This hourly cost is divided by the parties, unless otherwise specified or agreed upon. A retainer deposit is needed before the scheduling of dates and times where private judging, mediation, or arbitration matters will be heard.

Why use Stephen B. Ruben for This Process?

Since 1997, Stephen B. Ruben has conducted over 30 settlement conferences and trial hearings for the Superior Court of San Francisco on a wide variety of legal issues including property, support and child custody matters. Steve works hard to find creative legal solutions to family law matters that best serve both parties and their unique situation based on the California Family Code and all applicable Judicial Decisions.

Steve's experience also includes specialty areas of Family Law such as: marital and non-marital dissolution; domestic partnership including dissolution of domestic partnership; co-habitation claims under Marvin v. Marvin; property division with particular emphasis on high asset dissolutions; spousal support with particular emphasis on high wage earners and high Marital standard of living; custody and visitation disputes with particular expertise regarding proposed move-aways in the United States and internationally. Steve also has extensive experience with Pre-marital and Post Marital agreements; and attorneys’ fee disputes

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