NCJ Number
56784
Journal
American Bar Association Journal Volume: 65 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 570-573
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT'S EFFORT TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT (C.D.S.) MECHANISMS.
Abstract
THE POPULARITY OF CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT THROUGH SMALL CLAIMS COURTS AND OTHER PROJECTS IS WIDESPREAD AND PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SET UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH NOTABLE ONES OPERATING IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, MIAMI, FLA., AND BOSTON, MASS. THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT, HOWEVER, IS THE FIRST TO TRY TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION OF A STATEWIDE PROGRAM. ITS EFFORTS INCLUDE A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF THE PROGRAMS OPERATING IN THE STATE AND OF THEIR SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES, ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION ALTERNATIVES, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A PROJECT TO PROVIDE RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND TRAINING MECHANISMS FOR C.D.S. PROGRAMS THROUGH THE JUDICIAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION UNIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATOR. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLANS TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING: (1) A THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING PROGRAMS IN THE STATE TO DOCUMENT THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMS IN TERMS OF THE EFFECTIVE DISPOSITION OF CASELOADS; (2) THE PREPARATION AND DISSEMINATION OF GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF C.D.S. RESOURCES IN NEW JURISDICTIONS; (3) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE DIRECT CONSULTATIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAMS; (4) THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ORIENTATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM; (5) THE DEVELOPMENT AND PILOT TESTING OF ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC INFORMATION OR EDUCATION STRATEGIES; (6) THE ASSESSMENT OF C.D.S. PROGRAMS COMPARED TO OTHER JUDICIAL AND NONJUDICIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION ALTERNATIVES; AND (7) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAPABILITY TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITIES AND GROWTH OF CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT AND RELATED PROGRAMS ON A CONTINUING BASIS.