CA AB1523

Increases the amount in controversy threshold for court-ordered mediation from $50,000 to $75,000, effective January 1, 2027

Establishes new conditions for court-ordered mediation: the case must be set for trial, at least one party must express interest in mediation, and there can be no ongoing discovery disputes

Requires courts to select a mediator at no cost to the parties if they do not agree on a mutually acceptable mediator within 15 days of the case being submitted to mediation

Mandates that court-ordered mediation conclude with a mutually acceptable agreement or statement of nonagreement no later than 120 days before the trial date, and mediation cannot delay the scheduled trial

Allows parties to conduct mediation using remote technology if all parties agree