(a) Designation of the complaint coordinator The presiding judge must designate a person who is knowledgeable about mediation to serve as the complaint coordinator. (Subd (a) amended and lettered effective July 1, 2009, effective date extended to January 1, 2010; adopted as unlettered subd effective January 1, 2006.)
Rule 3.867.Complaint coordinator
Division 8. Alternative Dispute Resolution · Chapter 3. General Rules Relating to Mediation of Civil Cases · Article 3. Requirements for Addressing Complaints About Court-Program Mediators · Last amended 2010 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule requires each presiding judge to designate a person knowledgeable about mediation to serve as the complaint coordinator, and requires the court to make that person’s identity and contact information readily accessible to litigants and the public.
Full Text of Rule 3.867
(b) Identification of the complaint coordinator The court must make the complaint coordinator’s identity and contact information readily accessible to litigants and the public. (Subd (b) adopted effective July 1, 2009, effective date extended to January 1, 2010.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.867 creates the entry point for the entire complaint process: a designated person who receives inquiries and complaints about mediators. The presiding judge picks this person, and the rule requires that the coordinator know something about mediation — the role is not meant for someone unfamiliar with how mediation works or what the conduct standards require.
The second half of the rule is about access. Naming a complaint coordinator does no good if nobody can find that person, so the court has to make the coordinator’s identity and contact information readily available, both to litigants who might have a concern and to the public generally. That accessibility requirement reflects the broader purpose behind this article: a complaint process only builds confidence in the courts if people know it exists and know how to reach it.
Advisory Committee Comment
The following comment is published by the Judicial Council of California alongside the rule itself — not commentary from this site.
The alternative dispute resolution program administrator appointed under rule 10.783(a) may also be appointed as the complaint coordinator if that person is knowledgeable about mediation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides who serves as a court’s complaint coordinator?
The presiding judge, who must designate someone knowledgeable about mediation to fill the role.
How can someone find out who a court’s complaint coordinator is?
The court is required to make the complaint coordinator’s identity and contact information readily accessible to both litigants and the public.
Can the same person handle both ADR program administration and complaints?
Yes. A court’s alternative dispute resolution program administrator may also serve as the complaint coordinator, as long as that person is knowledgeable about mediation.
Amendment History
Rule 3.867 amended and renumbered effective July 1, 2009, effective date extended to January 1, 2010; adopted as rule 1622.1 effective January 1, 2006; previously amended and renumbered as rule 3.866 effective January 1, 2007.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
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