This evaluation examined the efficacy of three pilot community mediation programs in Atlanta, Kansas City, Missouri, and Venice/Mar Vista, California. Extensive review of case files and survey information from those who were referred to the centers (regardless of whether they participated in mediation) was used to determine the effect of the programs on time to disposition, court caseloads and participant experiences with the center. The study found a positive impact on disposition time, but no real impact on court caseloads. Over all, parties were satisfied with the mediation experience and with the centers as a whole. Of the cases referred to the centers, 45% were resolved prior to or at mediation; of the cases mediated, 82% were resolved.

Description of Study: Study of the first 15 months of pilot community mediation programs in Atlanta, Kansas City, and Venice/Mar Vista, California. The study sought to determine the efficacy of these programs in terms of the impact on the disputants, the courts, and the community.

Method: File data and interviews with at least one party in 1301cases about 6 months after contact with the Neighborhood Justice Center - with both those who mediated their dispute and those who did not.

Comparative: Yes

Comparison Groups: Cases referred to community mediation centers and those that were not (in Atlanta and Kansas City only)

Sample Size: 1301 of 2990 (44%) cases handled by the three NJCs. 149 of 2501 cases originally tracked for processing data were tracked to final disposition. The 2501 cases were culled from a total of 8040 cases filed.

Variables Examined: Settlement rate, satisfaction of the parties, compliance, the effect of mediation on the parties' relationship, time to disposition, cost

Program Variables: Voluntary programs mediated mainly off-site by volunteers. Referrals were from police and court clerks at the time of filing, and from judges at the time of trial. The programs had just been established when the study began.

Findings: 35% of all cases referred went to mediation, of which 82% ended in agreement. This was an overall agreement rate of 45% for all cases referred. Time to disposition was significantly lower for cases that were mediated than for those that were not.

84% of mediation participants were satisfied with the process, 33-42% of those who adjudicated their case were. 86% of mediation participants were satisfied with the agreement; 33% of those who went through adjudication were satisfied with the outcome.

69-90% of those who mediated reported the other party complied with the agreement. 70% of those who went to trial reported that the dispute was resolved.