Correspondence - Non Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

often an expert in the subject matter of the dispute. Although the evaluator's opinion is not binding, the parties typically use it as a basis for trying to negotiate a resolution of the dispute. Cases for Which Neutral Evaluation May Be Appropriate. Neutral evaluation may be most appropriate in cases in which there are technical issues that require special expertise to resolve or the only significant issue in the case is the amount of damages. Cases for Which Neutral Evaluation May Not Be Appropriate.Neutral evaluation may not be appropriate when there are significant personal or emotional barriers to resolving the dispute. Settlement Conferences. Settlement conferences may be either mandatory or voluntary. In both types of settlement conferences, the parties and their attorneys meet with a judge or a neutral person called a "settlement officer" to discuss possible settlement of their dispute. The judge or settlement officer does not make a decision in the case but assists the parties in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case and in negotiating a settlement. Settlement conferences are appropriate in any case where settlement is an option. Mandatory settlement conferences are often held close to the date a case is set for trial. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. In addition to mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation, and settlement conferences, there are other types of ADR, including conciliation, fact finding, mini-trials, and summary jury trials. Sometimes parties will try a combination of ADR types. The important thing is to try to find the type or types of ADR that are most likely to resolve your dispute. To locate a dispute resolution program or neutral in your community: • Contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs,Consumer Information Center,toll free,at 1-800-852-5210 • Contact the Orange County Bar Association at (949) 440-6700 • Look in the telephone directories under"Arbitrators"or"Mediators" Low cost mediation services are provided under the Orange County Dispute Resolution Program Act (DRPA). For information regarding DRPA, contact: • OC Human Relations (714)480-6575, mediator@ochumanrelations.org • Waymakers (949)250-4058 For information on the Superior Court of California, County of Orange court ordered arbitration program, refer to Local Rule 360. The Orange County Superior Court offers programs for Civil Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE).For the Civil Mediation program, mediators on the Court's panel have agreed to accept a fee of $300 for rip to the first two hours of a mediation session. For the ENE program, members of the Court's panel have agreed to accept a fee of $300 for up to three hours of an ENE session. Additional information on the Orange County Superior Court Civil Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) programs is available on the Court's website at www.occourts.org. L 1200 Rev.Dec.2019 Page 4 of 4