How does a Florida business or commercial dispute end up in mediation?

Most Florida business and commercial disputes reach mediation in one of two ways. First, by court order: under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure (Rules 1.700–1.730), a judge may refer all or part of a contested civil matter to mediation at any time after responsive pleadings are filed, and in practice most circuit civil cases are ordered to mediation before trial. Second, by agreement: many commercial contracts contain a clause requiring the parties to mediate disputes before litigating or arbitrating. Either way, mediation has become a near-universal step in Florida commercial litigation, and it is frequently the point at which a business dispute actually resolves — well before the expense and uncertainty of trial.