he mandatory first step before any case moves to formal litigation. Skipping it or not understanding how it works is the single biggest reason rental dispute cases take longer than they should

Here is what most people do not know — and what no competitor blog explains clearly. Conciliation is not optional at the RDC. It is the mandatory first step before any case moves to formal litigation. Skipping it or not understanding how it works is the single biggest reason rental dispute cases take longer than they should. The amicable settlement is the mandatory pre-litigation conciliation stage within the RDC framework. A certified RDC conciliator supervises the process, and a judge approves the final agreement before it takes effect. A conciliation session is scheduled within approximately 15 days of filing. A conciliator works with both sides to reach a voluntary agreement. If successful, the outcome becomes a legally enforceable settlement.

So what actually happens in a conciliation session? Both the landlord and tenant attend a session — either in person or remotely through the RDC tele-litigation system. A trained RDC conciliator listens to both sides, reviews the key documents, and works to bring both parties to an agreed resolution. There is no judge in the room during conciliation — it is a structured negotiation supervised by a trained conciliator. If both parties agree, the settlement is signed, approved by a supervising judge, and becomes immediately legally enforceable. If conciliation is sought and a settlement is reached, half of the court fee paid for basic claims is refunded. This means conciliation is not just faster — it is also cheaper. You get half your filing fee back simply for settling at this stage. RDC indicates that conciliation procedures are generally completed within about 7 business days from registration. That is less than two weeks from filing to a legally enforceable resolution — if both parties are willing to negotiate.