If that rate is consistent through the year, the court will refer more cases in 2000 to ADR than it referred in 1999. I think mediation is fabulous. I have a presumption in favor of mediation. I also believe that everyone has to understand how mediation works for it to be effective. The right parties must be present at the mediation and they must have settlement authority.
Experienced lawyers can evaluate the case and reach a resolution in mediation.
I think it reflects parties greater understanding of the mediation process. They are better prepared for mediation sessions than they were before. The St. Louis County Circuit Court is also using ADR, with some judges using it more frequently than other judges. The court does not keep statistics on the number of cases referred to mediation but anecdotal evidence suggests that Presiding Judge Robert S. Cohen and Judges Wallace and Seigel are making the most referrals to mediation. The Presiding Judge has also permitted volunteer mediators to mediate some of the small claims cases on the dockets of Judges Crancer, Lofton and Schroeder.