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Early Settlement Program (ESP)

For Attorneys

What is ESP?

ESP offers an opportunity for early resolution of legal disputes before a member of our volunteer panel. This panel is comprised of over 400 of the Bay Area's most prestigious trial lawyers.

If you have been ordered to engage in our program through the San Francisco Superior Court or you would simply like to participate, you should know that we have an 80% success rate!

Please review the Policies and Procedures (62KBPDF) for the Early Settlement Program and the San Francisco Superior Court Local Rule 4.3. (17KBPDF)

Costs.

There is a $250 administrative fee per party to pay for the cost of running this program.

Steps.

  1. You will receive notification in the mail that the San Francisco Superior Court has ordered your case into ESP. This notification will also have the date and time of your ESP conference.

    Or, if the Court did not order you to ESP but you would like to participate, download and submit this form to the Court.
    Stipulation to ADR form (30KB PDF)

    Once the Court processes your request, you will receive notification of the date and time or your ESP conference.

  2. There is a $250 administrative fee per party for the cost of running this program. An invoice will accompany the Notice of ESP. You can pay by check, money order or credit card.
    • Check or Money Order: Make payable to BASF/ESP.
    • Credit Card: If you with to use a credit card, please download and complete the:
      ESP Charge Form (17KB PDF)
  3. You must mail your administrative fee within 15 days of notification to: 
    BASF / ESP
301 Battery Street, Third Floor
San Francisco, California 94111
  4. You will get a reminder from us approximately one month in advance of your conference date.
  5. You will be notified of the location and identity of the ESP panelist that will hear your case approximately two weeks before your conference date.
  6. One week before your conference, you must provide a copy of your statement to each of the following:
    • ESP panelist(s) assigned to your case
    • Bar Association of San Francisco
    • Other parties involved
  7. Please arrive on time at the designated location for your conference. Attendance is mandatory.
  8. If the matter is settled in your ESP conference, congratulations! You must notify the Court immediately.

    Stipulation to Settlement (162KB PDF)
    Use this form to notify the court of your settlement.

    If the matter is not settled in your ESP conference, your initial court date remains the same.

  9. If you must reschedule your ESP conference date, download and fill out the:
    Request to Reschedule the Conference Date (9KB PDF)

    Please note that rescheduling a date is not favored by the Court and will not be granted without a good reason.