reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NE Code § 25-2805 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2805 - Trial without jury; transfer to county court; fee; jury demand; timeframe.

25-2805.  Trial without jury; transfer to county court; fee; jury demand; timeframe.All matters in the Small Claims Court shall be tried to the court without a jury. Except as provided in section 25-2618.01, any defendant in an action or such defendant's attorney may transfer the case to the regular docket of the county court by giving notice to the court at least two days prior to the time set for the hearing. Upon such notice the case shall be transferred to the regular docket of the county court. The party causing the transfer of a case from the Small Claims Court to the regular docket shall pay as a fee the difference between the fee for filing a claim in Small Claims Court and the fee for filing a claim on the regular docket.In any action transferred to the regular docket, there shall be no motions challenging pleadings unless ordered by the court upon a showing that any such procedure is necessary to the prompt and just determination of the action. In any action transferred to the regular docket, a defendant shall file an answer. Any jury demand in cases transferred from the Small Claims Court to county court shall be made within the timeframes provided in section 25-2705.Source   Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 25;   Laws 1975, LB 283, § 2;   Laws 1980, LB 892, § 2;   Laws 1981, LB 42, § 11;   Laws 1984, LB 13, § 15;   Laws 1987, LB 77, § 3;   R.S.Supp.,1988, § 24-525;   Laws 1997, LB 151, § 10;  Laws 2002, LB 876, § 58;  Laws 2011, LB669, § 20. Annotations  A suit brought in Small Claims Court and transferred to the regular docket of municipal court prior to the time set for hearing in Small Claims Court is subject to the provisions of law and rules of the court applicable to proceedings in municipal court. State ex rel. Simpson v. Vondrasek, 203 Neb. 693, 279 N.W.2d 860 (1979). When a defendant transfers a case from small claims court to county court pursuant to this section, the plaintiff is not entitled to request a jury trial in the county court action. Dollison v. Mercy Servs. Corp., 7 Neb. App. 555, 584 N.W.2d 674 (1998).
NE Code § 25-2806 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2806 - Pleadings required; informal disposition; judgment.

25-2806.  Pleadings required; informal disposition; judgment.No formal pleadings other than the claim and notice, and the counterclaim or setoff and notice if appropriate, shall be required in the Small Claims Court and the hearing and disposition of all matters shall be informal so that the rules of evidence, except those relating to privileged communications, shall not apply, with the sole object of providing a prompt and just settlement of the issues. When a money judgment is entered, payment shall be made forthwith after time for appeal has run or execution may issue as in other cases in the county court. When a judgment for the return of personal property is entered, return shall be made forthwith after time for appeal has run or an order of delivery may issue as in other cases in the county court.Source   Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 26;   Laws 1984, LB 13, § 16;   R.S.1943, (1985), § 24-526.  Annotations  The entire matter in Small Claims Court is on a very informal basis, with a minimum of procedural requirements. Harris v. Eberhardt, 215 Neb. 240, 338 N.W.2d 53 (1983). Because no formal pleadings are required in Small Claims Court, a decision of that court will be affirmed on appeal if it can be founded on any theory supported by the evidence. Fuchser v. Jacobson, 205 Neb. 786, 290 N.W.2d 449 (1980). The formal rules of evidence do not apply in small claims court. Flodman v. Robinson, 22 Neb. App. 943, 864 N.W.2d 716 (2015).
NE Code § 25-2807 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2807 - Appeals.

25-2807.  Appeals.Unless the controversy is subject to the Uniform Arbitration Act, any party may appeal to the district court as provided in sections 25-2728 to 25-2738. Parties may be represented by attorneys on appeal.Source   Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 27;   Laws 1975, LB 283, § 3;   Laws 1980, LB 892, § 3;   Laws 1981, LB 42, § 12;   R.S.1943, (1985), § 24-527;   Laws 1997, LB 151, § 11. Cross References  Uniform Arbitration Act, see section 25-2601.Annotations  A party appealing a judgment entered in a small claims court may be assisted by an attorney in perfecting an appeal of the judgment from the small claims court to the district court. Gibbons v. Don Williams Roofing, Inc., 261 Neb. 470, 623 N.W.2d 662 (2001). Because no formal pleadings are required in Small Claims Court, a decision of that court will be affirmed on appeal if it can be founded on any theory supported by the evidence. Fuchser v. Jacobson, 205 Neb. 786, 290 N.W.2d 449 (1980). Filing a notice of appeal falls within the "on appeal" language in this section, and consequently, an attorney may sign a notice of appeal on behalf of a party appealing from a small claims court decision. Hayes v. Applegarth, 10 Neb. App. 351, 631 N.W.2d 547 (2001).
NE Code § 25-2901 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2901 - Act, how cited.

25-2901.  Act, how cited.Sections 25-2901 to 25-2921 shall be known and may be cited as the Dispute Resolution Act.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 1;   Laws 1996, LB 922, § 1;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 1.
NE Code § 25-2902 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2902 - Legislative findings.

25-2902.  Legislative findings.The Legislature finds that:(1) The resolution of certain disputes and offenses can be costly and time consuming in the context of a formal judicial proceeding;(2) Employing restorative justice and mediation to address disputes can provide an avenue for efficiently reducing the volume of matters which burden the court system in this state;(3) Restorative justice practices and programs can meet the needs of Nebraska's residents by providing forums in which persons may participate in voluntary or court-ordered resolution of juvenile and adult offenses in an informal and less adversarial atmosphere;(4) Employing restorative justice can provide an avenue for repair, healing, accountability, and community safety to address the harm experienced by victims as a result of an offense committed by youth or adult individuals;(5) Restorative justice practices and programs are grounded in a wide body of research and evidence showing individuals who participate in restorative justice practices and programs are less likely to reoffend;(6) Unresolved disputes of those who do not have the resources for formal resolution may be of small social or economic magnitude individually but are collectively of enormous social and economic consequences;(7) Many seemingly minor conflicts between individuals may escalate into major social problems unless resolved early in an atmosphere in which the persons involved can discuss the dispute or offense through a private and informal yet structured process;(8) There is a need in our society to reduce acrimony and improve relationships between people in conflict which has a long-term benefit of a more peaceful community of people;(9) There is a compelling need in a complex society for dispute resolution and restorative justice whereby people can participate in creating comprehensive, lasting, and realistic resolutions to conflicts and offenses;(10) Mediation can increase the public's access to dispute resolution and thereby increase public regard and usage of the legal system; and(11) Office-approved nonprofit dispute resolution centers can make a substantial contribution to the operation and maintenance of the courts of this state by preserving the court's scarce resources for those disputes and offenses which cannot be resolved by means other than litigation.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 2;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 2.
NE Code § 25-2903 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2903 - Terms, defined.

25-2903.  Terms, defined.For purposes of the Dispute Resolution Act:(1) Approved center means a center that has applied for and received approval from the director under section 25-2909;(2) Center means a nonprofit organization or a court-established program which makes dispute resolution procedures and restorative justice services available;(3) Council means the Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution;(4) Director means the Director of the Office of Dispute Resolution;(5) Dispute resolution process means a process by which the parties involved in a dispute voluntarily agree to enter into informal discussion and negotiation with the assistance of a mediator;(6) Mediation means the intervention into a dispute by a third party who has no decisionmaking authority and is impartial to the issues being discussed;(7) Mediator means a person trained in the process of mediation who assists parties in dispute to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of their conflict;(8) Office means the Office of Dispute Resolution;(9) Restorative justice facilitator means a person trained to facilitate restorative justice practices as a staff member or affiliate of an approved center; and(10) Restorative justice means practices, programs, or services described in section 25-2912.01 that emphasize repairing the harm caused to victims and the community by persons who have caused the harm or committed an offense.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 3;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 3.
NE Code § 25-2904 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2904 - Office of Dispute Resolution; established; director; qualifications; duties.

25-2904.  Office of Dispute Resolution; established; director; qualifications; duties.The Office of Dispute Resolution is hereby established in the office of the State Court Administrator. The director of the office shall be hired by the Supreme Court. The director may but need not be an attorney and shall be hired on the basis of his or her training and experience in mediation, restorative justice, and dispute resolution. The director shall administer the Dispute Resolution Act and shall serve as staff to the council.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 4;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 4.
NE Code § 25-2905 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2905 - Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution; created; members.

25-2905.  Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution; created; members.The Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution is hereby created. The council shall be comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines who are trained and knowledgeable in mediation, restorative justice, and dispute resolution and selected to be representative of the geographical and cultural diversity of the state and to reflect gender fairness. The council shall consist of fifteen voting members. The membership shall include a district court judge, county court judge, and juvenile court judge and a representative from the Office of Probation Administration, the Nebraska State Bar Association, and the Nebraska County Attorneys Association. Nominations for the remaining members may be solicited from such entities and from the Nebraska Mediation Association, the Public Counsel, social workers, mental health professionals, diversion program administrators, educators, law enforcement entities, crime victim advocates, and former participants in restorative justice programs and related fields. The council shall be appointed by the Supreme Court or its designee. The Supreme Court or its designee shall not be restricted to the solicited list of nominees in making its appointments. Two nonvoting, ex officio members shall be appointed by the council from among the approved centers.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 5;  Laws 1999, LB 315, § 2;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 5.
NE Code § 25-2906 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2906 - Council; members; terms; vacancy; officers.

25-2906.  Council; members; terms; vacancy; officers.The initial members of the council and the new members required by the changes to section 25-2905 made by Laws 2019, LB595, shall be appointed for terms of one, two, or three years. All subsequent appointments shall be made for terms of three years. Any vacancy on the council shall be filled and shall last for the duration of the term vacated. Appointments to the council required by changes to section 25-2905 made by Laws 2019, LB595, shall be made within ninety days after September 1, 2019. The council shall select a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and such other officers as it deems necessary.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 6;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 6.
NE Code § 25-2907 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2907 - Council; powers and duties; members; expenses.

25-2907.  Council; powers and duties; members; expenses.(1) The council shall advise the director on the administration of the Dispute Resolution Act.(2) The council shall meet at least four times per year and at other times deemed necessary to perform its functions. Members of the council shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.(3) The council may appoint task forces to carry out its work. Task force members shall have knowledge of, responsibility for, or interest in an area related to the duties of the council.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 7;  Laws 2020, LB381, § 21.
NE Code § 25-2908 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2908 - Director; duties.

25-2908.  Director; duties.Consistent with the purposes and objectives of the Dispute Resolution Act and in consultation with the council, the director shall:(1) Approve centers which meet requirements for approval;(2) Develop and supervise a uniform system of reporting and collecting statistical data from approved centers;(3) Develop and supervise a uniform system of evaluating approved centers;(4) Prepare a yearly budget for the implementation of the act and distribute funds to approved centers;(5) Develop and administer guidelines for a sliding scale of fees to be charged by approved centers;(6) Develop, initiate, or approve curricula and training sessions for mediators and staff of approved centers and of courts;(7) Establish volunteer training programs;(8) Promote public awareness of the restorative justice and dispute resolution process;(9) Apply for and receive funds from public and private sources for carrying out the purposes and obligations of the act;(10) Develop and supervise a uniform system to create and maintain a roster of approved centers and victim youth conferencing and other restorative justice facilitators who are affiliated with approved centers. The roster shall be made available to courts and county attorneys;(11) Enhance the sustainability of approved centers;(12) Support approved centers in the implementation of restorative justice programs;(13) Coordinate the development and implementation of new restorative justice programs;(14) Develop and administer a uniform system for reporting and collecting statistical data regarding restorative justice programs from approved centers;(15) Develop and administer a uniform system for evaluating restorative justice programs administered by approved centers;(16) Develop and administer a uniform system for evaluating quality assurance and fidelity to established restorative justice principles;(17) Coordinate software and data management system quality assurance for the office and the approved centers;(18) Coordinate restorative justice training sessions for restorative justice facilitators and staff of approved centers and the courts;(19) Review and provide analyses of state and federal laws and policies and judicial branch policies relating to restorative justice programs for juvenile populations and adult populations;(20) Promote public awareness of the restorative justice and dispute resolution process under the Dispute Resolution Act; and(21) Seek and identify funds from public and private sources for carrying out new and ongoing restorative justice programs.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 8;   Laws 1998, LB 1073, § 7;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 7.
NE Code § 25-2909 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2909 - Grants; application; contents; approved centers; reports.

25-2909.  Grants; application; contents; approved centers; reports.(1) The office shall annually award grants to approved centers. It is the intent of the Legislature that centers be established and grants distributed statewide.(2) A center or an entity proposing a center may apply to the office for approval to provide services under the Dispute Resolution Act by submitting an application which includes:(a) A strategic plan for the operation of the center;(b) The center's objectives;(c) The areas of population to be served;(d) The administrative organization;(e) Record-keeping procedures;(f) Procedures for intake, for scheduling, and for conducting and terminating restorative justice programs and dispute resolution sessions;(g) Qualifications for mediators and restorative justice facilitators for the center;(h) An annual budget for the center;(i) The results of an audit of the center for a period covering the previous year if the center was in operation for such period; and(j) Proof of 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code or proof of establishment by a court.(3) The office may specify additional criteria for approval and for grants as it deems necessary.(4) Annual reports shall be required of each approved center. The reports shall include the number and types of cases handled in the year and a showing of continued compliance with the act.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 9;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 8.
NE Code § 25-2910 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2910 - Approved center; funding; fees.

25-2910.  Approved center; funding; fees.An approved center may use sources of funds, both public and private, in addition to funds appropriated by the Legislature. An approved center may require each party to pay a fee to help defray costs based upon ability to pay. A person shall not be denied services solely because of an inability to pay the fee.Source  Laws 1991, LB 90, § 10.
NE Code § 25-2911 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2911 - Restorative justice programs and dispute resolution; types of cases; referral of cases.

25-2911.  Restorative justice programs and dispute resolution; types of cases; referral of cases.(1) The following types of cases may be accepted for restorative justice programs and dispute resolution at an approved center:(a) Civil claims and disputes, including, but not limited to, consumer and commercial complaints, disputes between neighbors, disputes between business associates, disputes between landlords and tenants, and disputes within communities;(b) Disputes concerning child custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access and other areas of domestic relations;(c) Juvenile offenses and disputes involving juveniles when appropriate, which shall be determined according to the policies and procedures provided for in section 25-2918;(d) Disputes involving youth that occur in families, in educational settings, and in the community at large;(e) Adult criminal offenses and disputes involving juvenile, adult, or community victims when appropriate, which shall be determined according to the policies and procedures provided for in section 25-2918; and(f) Contested guardianship and contested conservatorship proceedings.(2) Restorative justice practices at an approved center may be used in addition to any other condition, consequence, or sentence imposed by a court, a probation officer, a diversion program, a school, or another community program.(3) An approved center may accept cases referred by a court, an attorney, a law enforcement officer, a social service agency, a school, or any other interested person or agency or upon the request of the parties involved. A case may be referred prior to the commencement of formal judicial proceedings or may be referred as a pending court case. If a court refers a case to an approved center, the center shall provide information to the court as to whether an agreement was reached. If the court requests a copy of the agreement, the center shall provide it.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 11;  Laws 2007, LB554, § 25;  Laws 2011, LB157, § 2;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 9.
NE Code § 25-2912 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2912 - Restorative justice or dispute resolution process; procedures.

25-2912.  Restorative justice or dispute resolution process; procedures.Before the restorative justice or dispute resolution process begins, an approved center shall provide the parties with a written statement setting forth the procedures to be followed.Source   Laws 1991, LB 90, § 12;  Laws 2019, LB595, § 10.
NE Code § 25-2912.01 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2912.01 - Restorative justice practices, restorative justice services, or restorative justice programs; activities to repair harm.

25-2912.01.  Restorative justice practices, restorative justice services, or restorative justice programs; activities to repair harm.Restorative justice practices, restorative justice services, or restorative justice programs include, but are not limited to, victim youth conferences, victim-offender mediation, family group conferences, circles, peer-to-peer mediation, truancy mediation, victim or community panels, and community conferences. Restorative justice programs may involve restorative projects or classes and facilitated meetings attended voluntarily by the victim, the victim's representatives, or a victim surrogate and the victim's supporters, as well as the youth or adult individual who caused harm and that individual's supporters, whether voluntarily or following a referral for assessment by court order. These meetings may also include community members, when appropriate. By engaging the parties to the offense or harm in voluntary dialogue, restorative justice provides an opportunity for healing for the victim and the individual who harmed the victim by:(1) Holding the individual who caused harm accountable and providing the individual a platform to accept responsibility and gain empathy for the harm he or she caused to the victim and community;(2) Providing the victim a platform to describe the impact that the harm had upon himself or herself or his or her family and to identify detriments experienced or any losses incurred;(3) Providing the opportunity to enter into a reparation plan agreement; and(4) Enabling the victim and the individual who caused harm the opportunity to agree on consequences to repair the harm, to the extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, apologies, community service, reparation, restitution, restoration, and counseling.Source Laws 2019, LB595, § 11.
NE Code § 25-2912.02 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 25 - Courts; Civil Procedure|25-2912.02 - Best practices; policies and procedures.

25-2912.02.  Best practices; policies and procedures.The office and the approved centers shall strive to conduct restorative justice programs in accordance with best practices, including evidence-based programs, and shall adopt policies and procedures to accomplish this goal.Source Laws 2019, LB595, § 12.