Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island can be found in RSI’s Research Library and in Reports below.
State Legislation
- Rhode Island Statute 8-6-5: Arbitration of civil actions
- Rhode Island Statute 9-19-44: Mediator confidentiality in mediation proceedings
- Rhode Island Statute 10-3: Arbitration Act
- Rhode Island Statute 10-16-5: Small claims mandatory mediation
- Rhode Island Statute 15-5-29: Mediation proceedings involving custody and/or visitation
- Rhode Island Statute 15-7-7.2: Mediation of termination of parental rights
- Rhode Island Statute 40-11-7.3: Mediation of child protection matters
Statewide Court ADR Rules and Policies
State Office of Court ADR:
- No full-time state court ADR office.
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 ...
Rhode Island Statute 10-3: Arbitration Act
Rhode Island Legislature. Jan. 1, 2018Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Parties with clearly written agreements to arbitrate may arbitrate their disputes. This act lays out arbitration procedures including the judicial appointment of arbitrators, an arbitrator's award, confirmation of an award, grounds for vacating an aw...
Rhode Island Statute 40-11-7.3: Mediation of child protection matters
State of Rhode Island General Assembly. July 1, 1997; current as of January 1, 2012Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: For all child protection matters, this statute allows the family court to refer parties, with their agreement, to mediation for settlement....
Rhode Island Statute 15-7-7.2: Mediation of termination of parental rights
State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Jul. 1, 1997Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute authorizes the court to establish and refer parties to voluntary mediation programs for cases involving the termination of parental rights....
Rhode Island Statute 9-19-44: Mediator confidentiality in mediation proceedings
State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Jul. 21, 1992Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute establishes confidentiality for all oral and written communications between the mediator and parties during mediation proceedings, and prohibits them from being disclosed in subsequent judicial or administrative proceedings....
Rhode Island Statute 8-6-5: Arbitration of civil actions
State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Jan. 1, 1970Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute authorizes the superior court to develop rules for a voluntary or mandatory arbitration program for civil actions. The statute also limits the arbitration fee charged to the parties to $300, and allows the court to charge parties sanctio...
Rhode Island Statute 15-5-29: Mediation proceedings involving custody and/or visitation
State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Jan. 1, 1988Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: For child custody and visitation disputes, this statute authorizes the court to order parties to participate in mediation through a program established by the court. The statute also sets confidentiality guidelines for communications made during medi...
Rhode Island Statute 10-16-5: Small claims mandatory mediation
State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Jan. 1, 1970Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: In directing the district courts to make orders and rules for small claims cases, this statute also authorizes the chief judges to establish systems of mandatory mediation for such cases. ...
Rules
Rhode Island Supreme Court Rule 35: Appellate Mediation Program
Supreme Court of Rhode Island. Mar. 1, 2019Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: This rule sets forth the procedures for Rhode Island's Appellate Mediation Program. All civil cases that have been appealed from a trial court will be eligible for participation in the program. There are a few cases that are exempt from participating...
Reports
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...
Foreclosure Mediation in Depth: Articulated Purposes and Objectives for Foreclosure Mediation Programs
Kulp, Heather Scheiwe. Jul. 1, 2011Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report lists the stated purposes behind the creation of foreclosure mediation programs in 26 states. Program goals include ensuring communication, improving efficiency and timeliness, assisting borrowers, and stabilizing communities. Heather S....
Foreclosure Mediation Programs Funding: A Review of 24 Currently Operating Foreclosure Mediation Programs
Kulp, Heather Scheiwe. Jan. 26, 2011Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report describes the structure and funding of foreclosure mediation programs in 24 states. It also reviews how compensation is provided, if at all, for program staff, mediators and attorneys for borrowers. An executive summary of this report is...
Now We're Talking: A Look at Current State-Based Foreclosure Mediation Programs and How to Bring Them to Scale
Cohen, Alon; Jakabovics, Andrew. Jun. 1, 2010Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report reviews foreclosure mediation programs established in 21 states. It describes the programs' structures and provides settlement statistics, where available. The authors argue that mandatory mediation programs have proven to be more effecti...
Contacts
Rhode Island Mediators Association
Resource Type: Organization
Abstract: The association states that it is dedicated to serving and supporting mediators in Rhode Island. It maintains a directory of mediators, including a list of advanced mediators. ...