KCDRC Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Effective January 1, 2025

At the Dispute Resolution Center of King County (“we,” “our,” or “us”), we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you access our website www.kcdrc.org (the “Site”) and use our mediation services. Please read this policy carefully. By accessing or using our Site and services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information when you visit our Site or use our services:

Personal Information:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Payment information (for services purchased)
• Any other information you provide to us during interactions (e.g., through contact forms or service inquiries)

Non-Personal Information:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Pages visited on the Site
• Referring websites
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see section 5 for more details)

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide and manage our mediation services
• To process payments for services
• To respond to inquiries and provide customer support
• To send you relevant updates, newsletters, and promotional materials (you may opt out at any time)
• To improve our website and services based on your feedback and usage patterns
• To comply with legal obligations

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. However, your information may be shared with third-party vendors and service providers who help us run our organization and provide our services (e.g., payment processors, website hosting). 

Mediations, conciliations, facilitated conversations and negotiations for the purpose of reaching a voluntary resolution through the Dispute Resolution Center of King County are conducted under the Uniform Mediation Act RCW 7.07. Communication made for the purpose of considering, conducting, participating in, initiating, continuing or reconvening efforts to resolve conflict are privileged and confidential. 

4. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Site. These technologies help us analyze website traffic, customize content, and improve our services. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings, but please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Site.

6. Your Rights and Choices

As a visitor to our Site or a user of our services, you have the right to request a copy of the personal information we have about you; the right to request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete personal information; the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions; and the right to opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions included in those communications or contacting us directly. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at drcinfo@kcdrc.org.

7. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

8. Links to Third-Party Sites

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of those third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.

10. SMS/Text Messaging Program

By providing your mobile phone number and checking the consent box, you consent to receive SMS/text messages from the Dispute Resolution Center of King County regarding your account, services, promotions, or other relevant information. Message frequency may vary based on your interaction with our services. Standard message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier plan. We value your privacy. You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message or contacting KCDRC directly. After opting out, you may receive a final confirmation message. For help, reply HELP to any message or contact our support team by clicking this link to email them. Your consent to receive text messages is not a condition of any purchase. By participating in our SMS/text messaging program, you agree to these terms as part of our Terms of Use. 

 11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the revised policy on this page and update the “Effective Date” at the top of the page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you would like to exercise any of your rights regarding your personal information, please contact us at:

Dispute Resolution Center of King County
509 Olive Way, Suite 1664, Seattle WA 98101
drcinfo@kcdrc.org
206-443-9603 ext. 07

Thank you for trusting the Dispute Resolution Center of King County with your information. We are committed to ensuring your privacy while providing valuable mediation services.

Additional Legislation and Ethical Guidelines For KCDRC

Legislation governing Dispute Resolution Centers

The Dispute Resolution Center of King County is a private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization authorized by local state legislation, Revised Code of Washington RCW 7.75, which guides the activities of dispute resolution centers in Washington. This state legislation created a funding mechanism that enables each county to determine the amount of a surcharge to attach to certain local court fees. King County Ordinances 4.82.010 and 4.82.020 determine the amount of the surcharge that King County will attach to the local Small Claims Court and District Court civil filing fees which are then passed through to the DRC of King County. The DRC is guided by the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators and the Washington State Uniform Mediation Act.

Ethical guidelines

The Dispute Resolution Center is guided by ethical standards that can be found in the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators and the Washington State Uniform Mediation Act. All mediators are required to adhere to these standards and the Dispute Resolution Center regularly conducts training on these guidelines. The Uniform Mediation Act adopted in 2005, assures clients of confidentiality and privilege in the mediation proceedings and documents. One notable exception that is not considered confidential is the revelation of the intent or ongoing abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person or the intent or admission of a crime. These two exceptions are not confidential and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.