In this procedure, the parties almost always have their own attorney. A third method that is being used more frequently is called reference. This is the process where a case already in court is referred by the court at the request of the parties to a person who will hear the case and decide it in place of a judge. This person is called a referee and the process is governed by the Maine Civil Rules. The decision of the referee is entered by the court as if it were the court's own judgment.
Referees are either experienced attorneys and less frequently retired judges.
ADR is becoming more and more popular as people learn that their disputes can be resolved away from crowded, public court rooms and handled less expensively and more quickly using these methods. All rights reserved.