This report discusses the use of appropriate forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Maryland and the impact of ADR on the Maryland court system. The report discuses mediation, settlement conferences, community conferences and arbitration and compares programs available in 1998 to those available in 2008, graphically demonstrating a drastic increase in programs offered. The work of the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) and the impact its programs have had on circuit courts, district courts, the State's Attorney's Office, community mediation and community conferences in Maryland is highlighted. In fiscal year 2008, MACRO reports 8,482 mediated cases with 5,241 agreements reached and 4,740 cases removed from the courts' dockets. MACRO offers and plans to continue to offer technical assistance and grant support for the Maryland Circuit Courts and the District Court ADR Office, as well as implement the Practical Quality Improvement System and enlarge the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence (pgs.21-22). The authors of this report state that the ADR programs would be weakened or eliminated without MACRO support, and call for "continued support...to sustain, expand and improve high quality ADR services throughout Maryland" (p.23).
Report to the Joint Chairman: The Impact of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office's Work to Advance the Appropriate Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Courts
Bell, Robert M.; Wohl, Rachel. Nov. 1, 2008http://www.courts.state.md.us/macro/pdfs/2008macroadrlegislativereport.pdf