Tuesday,  July  8,  2008

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

A Message from the
ADR ADMINISTRATOR

Welcome to the home page for the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program at the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. This website provides information about the Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Please feel free to contact the ADR Administrator by letter, telephone, or e-mail for further information about the Court’s ADR program and how ADR can help you.

The Court’s ADR program offers litigants a number of non-binding alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options that may resolve cases fairly, efficiently and with less expense than cases that are fully litigated. ADR processes offer numerous advantages over litigation. In contrast to litigation and adjudication at trial, ADR may lead to resolutions that are:

l faster
l less expensive
l more creative, and
l better tailored to the needs and underlying interests of the parties.

Counsel and litigants are encouraged to consider using the Court’s ADR program, including its highly trained and experienced panel of arbitrators and mediators, as well as judicial officers available for settlement conferencing.

This ADR website includes:

• ADR Program Summary - 4/17/2008

• Notice of Adoption of Amended Alternative Dispute Resolution Plan - 3/6/2006

• The ADR Plan - 3/6/2006

• ADR Panel Neutrals (Current as of April 10, 2008)

• ADR Panel Application - 4/10/2008

• Suggested ADR Briefing Guidelines - 4/17/2008 (Check with the individual neutral to determine whether they require pre-mediation briefs or statements).

- This Symbol denotes a file in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format

We have committed substantial resources to our ADR program because we are confident that litigants who use ADR can in many cases save significant money and time, as well as retain greater control over the uncertainties of litigation outcomes through structured negotiation and settlement.

For more information or questions contact: 
Berry B. Mitchell  - Phone: (401) 752-7229 / Fax: (401)752-7255 / Mailing Address: United States District Court, District of Rhode Island, 2 Exchange Terrace, Room 110, Providence, RI 02903

Note: Many of the files on this site are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. If you select this link, you will be leaving the web page of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. This link is provided for the user's convenience in downloading the Adobe Acrobat reader software. The District of Rhode Island does not control nor guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information.