This study looked at eight ADR programs around the state of Iowa to determine their efficiency and effectiveness. To do so, it looked at how they were expending funds provided by the state; how case processing times and case activity compared to non-ADR cases; and the attitudes of judges, court staff, and attorneys to ADR. It found that there was limited court involvement with ADR and limited buy-in by the bench. There appeared to be no difference in the number of hearings and motions filed between ADR cases and non-ADR cases, but significantly fewer pretrial conferences. Case processing times appeared to be unaffected by the use of ADR. Attorney satisfaction rates with the programs were high, however.

Description of Study: Looked at case processing time for family, small claims, and community cases in 8 mediation programs throughout Iowa that were receiving state ADR funds.

Method: Interviewed the program staff, judges, administrators, and court staff regarding the programs. Surveyed attorneys regarding the quality of the mediator. Selected a random sample of up to 20 ADR and non-ADR cases in each program to study how the cases were processed.

Comparative: Yes

Sample Size: Up to 20 ADR and 20 non-ADR cases in each program

Variables Examined: Time to disposition; number of hearings, motions, and pre-trial conferences; attorney satisfaction

Program Variables: The programs did not appear to affect the time to disposition or the number of pre-trial hearings or motions. They did appear to reduce the number of pre-trial conferences. Attorneys indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the programs and believed participation in the programs reduced costs to their clients.

Findings: The programs did not appear to affect the time to disposition or the number of pre-trial hearings or motions. They did appear to reduce the number of pre-trial conferences. Attorneys indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the programs and believed participation in the programs reduced costs to their clients.