Attorneys are required to discuss their ADR options with each other and their clients and must be prepared to demonstrate that they have done so. They must also be prepared to address the case's suitability for ADR with the assigned judge at the initial conference. The court will evaluate the court-based mediation program in 1995 to determine whether the program should be continued or expanded. Questionnaires are sent to attorneys and mediators participating in the court's mediation program. The program, whose purpose is to help parties overcome obstacles to effective negotiation, became effective in September 1994.
All civil cases are eligible for referral to mediation on consent of the parties.
The court offers two mediation options. Under the court's pilot court-based program, fifteen mediators have been sworn in and conduct sessions at no charge to the parties. Both the court-based and association mediators may use shuttle diplomacy to facilitate the process, but they do not offer an evaluation of the case or give a decision to the parties. The mediation process in both programs is confidential. Number of cases.