In 2011, an evaluation of Michigan’s court-connected case evaluation and mediation programs found that both case evaluation and mediation increased the probability of settlement, but that case evaluation significantly increased time to disposition. This follow-up study came to the same conclusion. The study looked at a random sample of 358 cases (221 torts cases, 137 other civil cases) from three jurisdictions to determine what ADR process was used, the means by which the cases were resolved, and the time to disposition for each case. It found that for tort cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the form of disposition among the different options: no ADR, case evaluation only, mediation only, or both case evaluation and mediation. For other civil cases, both case evaluation and mediation (and both together) had higher rates of settlement than those cases that did not use ADR. For both torts cases and other civil cases, time to disposition was considerably longer when case evaluation was used than when either mediation or no ADR was used.
Description of Study: The study looked at a random sample of cases from three jurisdictions (Berrien, Oakland and Wayne counties) to determine what ADR process was used, the means by which the cases were resolved, and the time to disposition for each case.
Method: Reviewed files of civil cases in three jurisdictions that were disposed in 2017.
Comparative: Yes
Comparison Groups: Cases that went through case evaluation, cases that went through mediation and cases that did not go through ADR.
Sample Size: 358 cases (221 torts cases, 137 other civil cases)
Variables Examined: Settlement rate, time to disposition
Program Variables: Case evaluation, in which a panel of expert neutrals makes a recommendation as to what the case should settle for, is mandatory for tort and medical malpractice cases. Mediation is voluntary in all three jurisdictions, and can be used in conjunction with case evaluation.
Findings: The study found that for tort cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the form of disposition among the different options: no ADR, case evaluation only, mediation only, or both case evaluation and mediation, with a range of 71% (no ADR) to 92% (mediation) ending in a settlement or consent judgment. For other civil cases, both case evaluation and mediation (and both together) had higher rates of settlement than those cases that did not use ADR (47% for no ADR, 79% for case evaluation and 80% for mediation). The difference appears to be in the higher rate of dismissal/default judgment for cases in which no ADR process was used (49% v 21% for case evaluation and 13% for mediation). For both torts cases and other civil cases, time to disposition was considerably longer when case evaluation was used than when either mediation or no ADR was used.
When compared to mediation, case evaluation started later in the case and averaged longer to disposition from the point at which the ADR process ended. The delay could be attributed to case evaluation being rescheduled more often, although it wasn’t clear whether it was rescheduled without having been held or whether more than one session was needed.