Alabama
Summary
The following summarizes statewide court ADR rules and policies. For ADR in a local jurisdiction, see the local court’s website.
Note: This is a summary of state court ADR in Alabama. Authority for federal court ADR is found in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998. Information on federal court ADR rules and procedures can be found on each court’s website. Any studies or evaluations involving federal court ADR in Alabama can be found in RSI’s Research Library and in Reports below.
State Legislation
- Alabama Code Title 6, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Div. 1: Arbitration and Award
- Alabama Code Title 6, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Div. 2: Mandatory Mediation Prior to Trial
- Alabama Code: Title 6, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Div 3: Mediator May Not be Compelled to Testify or Provide Documents
Statewide Court ADR Rules and Policies
State Office of Court ADR:
Statutes
Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990
U.S. Congress. Dec. 1, 1990; amended Dec. 9, 2001Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: With this bill, each United States district court is required to develop a civil justice expense and delay reduction plan. As part of this plan, the act authorizes district courts to refer appropriate cases to designated ADR programs. The act also re...
Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998
U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code, Oct. 1, 1998Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This act authorizes each United States District Court to require litigants in all civil cases to consider the use of ADR process. It provides the framework by which each district court should promulgate procedures and rules regarding the ADR process ...
Alabama Code: Title 6, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Div. 3: Mediator May Not be Compelled to Testify or Provide Documents
Alabama Legislature. Aug. 1, 2018Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: To preserve confidentiality within mediation, this code prevents mediators from being compelled to testify or produce documents about a mediation. ...
Alabama Code: Title 6, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Div. 2: Mandatory Mediation Prior to Trial
Alabama Legislature. Jan. 1, 2017Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Enacted May 1996, Section 6-6-20, also referred to as Alabama's Mandatory Mediation Act, relates to mediation prior to trial in civil practice cases. Mediation is mandatory when all parties agree to mediate, when party motions for mediation and agree...
Alabama Code: Title 6, Ch. 6., Art. 1, Div. 1: Arbitration and Award
Alabama Legislature. Jan. 1, 2017Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This code relates to arbitration in civil practice. All Alabama courts have a duty to "encourage the settlement of controversies pending before them" by referring parties to arbitrators chosen by parties or their attorneys. The courts "must make such...
Rules
Alabama Civil Court Mediation Rules
Supreme Court of Alabama. May. 1, 2014Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: The rules apply in the circuit courts of Alabama. They address: the meaning of mediation, how mediation is initiated, the selection and qualifications of the mediator, the inability of the mediator to attend the session, assistance to the mediator, t...
Alabama Rules of Appellate Mediation
Alabama Supreme Court. Adopted January 1, 2004; amended January 6, 2004Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under these rules, all civil matters within the jurisdiction of either the Supreme Court or the Court of Civil Appeals may be referred to the appellate mediation program. The program administrator will screen cases to determine which cases should be ...
Supreme Court of Alabama Rule 55 - Appellate Mediation
Supreme Court of Alabama. Oct. 1, 2003Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: This rule designates that an appellate court may direct the parties to an action and their attorneys to appear before a court-designated mediator. The rule specifies that attendance at sessions is mandatory, content of the discussion is privileged an...
Reports
Alabama Unified Judicial System Annual Reports 2001-2017
Alabama Unified Judicial System. Jan. 1, 1970Resource Type: Report
Abstract: These annual reports provide a yearly overview of events and a compendium of statistical data for the Alabama court system. The reports provide a statistical overview that includes the percentage of cases referred to mediation and the percentage of c...
ADR in the Federal District Courts: An Initial Report
Stienstra, Donna. Nov. 1, 2011Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report describes the use of ADR in the federal courts. Twelve years after the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act required federal courts to provide ADR services for all civil cases, every federal district court has authorized at least one form o...
Contacts
Alabama Appellate Mediation Program
Supreme Court of Alabama. Jan. 1, 2003Resource Type: Program
Abstract: The Alabama Appellate Mediation Program is authorized by Rule 55 of the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure and mediates civil appeals in the Alabama Supreme Court and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. Rule 55 was adopted on July 17, 2003. The pro...
Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution
Resource Type: Organization
Abstract: The commission is charged by the Alabama Supreme Court with instituting guidelines for ADR programs and procedures in the state courts, providing technical assistance, education and training to the bar, the judiciary and the public, and developing tr...
Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution
Resource Type: Organization
Abstract: This is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to "develop, implement, administer and manage ADR programs in courts, neighborhoods, educational facilities and government agencies within the state of Alabama." It offers instructional materials, and...