NCJ Number
183724
Date Published
December 1999
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and the Alaska Court System.
Abstract
Attorneys and litigants in Alaska increasingly are using ADR to resolve court cases instead of a decision by a judge or jury. Alaska Rule of Court 26(f) requires attorneys to discuss ADR with opposing counsel and to create an ADR plan for most civil cases filed in state court. The booklet explains ADR, defines some of the commonly used ADR processes and discusses how to choose an ADR process for a particular case. The booklet is presented in four sections: (1) general discussion of ADR and comparison of ADR to the traditional litigation process; (2) some of the benefits of ADR; (3) four ADR processes (arbitration, mediation, early neutral evaluation and settlement conferences), how each works and what types of cases are most suitable for it; the section emphasizes mediation because of its great flexibility and ease of use; and (4) factors to consider when deciding whether to use ADR or the traditional litigation process. Appendixes