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Civ Pro-11/7 Civ Pro Lecture (ADR)
11/7 Civ Pro Lecture (ADR)
62
Law
Professional
12/07/2013

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Cards

Term
What is ADR?
Definition
ADR = Alternative Dispute resolution.
Term

Is Settlement a form of ADS?

 

Is a relase?

Definition

The whole process of settlement = ADR

 

A release is considered part of ADR

Term
Is settling cost effective?
Definition
Yes, settling is more cost effective than going to trial (trials = expensive).
Term
Does settling remove any risk?
Definition

Yes, it removes the risk of trial/jury

 

(i.e. If you are the defendant and the jury brings back $2 million judgment when you could have settled for $500k).

Term
Doest settling increase any risk?
Definition

Yes, it shifts the risk to the plaintiff.

 

(I.E. you might be settling for less than you could get a trial).

Term
Why do a lot of claims go to ADR?
Definition
A lot of claims go to ADR for costs.
Term
At what point during ligiation can ADR occur?
Definition
You can use ADR at any point during litigation.
Term

What kind of ADR occurs more frequently:

Arbitration or Mediation?

Definition
Usually Mediation is more common.
Term
What are the elements of Mediation
Definition

1) Voluntary

2) Non-binding

3) Court approved- federal may judge

4) Held in a court or other neutral venue

Term
What does mediation give the parties a chance to do?
Definition
Mediation gives parties the ability to vent, which may be what they need.
Term

What kind of role does a mediator play?

 

Why?

 

Who comes to the agreement during mediation?

Definition

Because mediation is non-binding, the mediator acts as more of a facilitator.

 

In mediation, the parties come to their own agreement.

Term
What kind of role does an arbitrator play during arbitration?
Definition
The arbitrator plays a role similar to a judge.
Term

Mediation vs. Arbitration

 

Which is binding?

Definition

Mediation is voluntary and non-binding.

 

Arbitration is typically involuntary and binding.

Term
What generally makes arbitration occur?
Definition
Genearlly arbitration occurs because of  an arbitration Mandate (agreement) (in a contract) signed by parties mandating it.
Term
What happens if you fail to abide by an arbitration mandate?
Definition
The other party can petition to compel arbitration
Term

Mediation vs. Arbitration-

 

Which has discovery?

Definition

Discovery exists in arbitration but not in mediation.

 

BUT mediation may be part of civil litigation, in which case you would have conducted discovery before mediation takes place.

Term
How extensive is arbitration discovery usually?
Definition
Arbitration discovery is usually not very extensive.
Term

How is arbiration discovery conducted?

 

Can things be banned or limited in arbitration discovery?

 

What kinds of discovery are usually present in arbitration?

Definition

The arbitration agreement is a contract so the actual arbitration clause in the contract defines everything about civil procedure and the rules that it follows.

 

So the clause could banor limit the number of depositions.

 

However, there are usually document requests and interrogatories.

 

Term

What is the mediator's role?

 

How important is this role?

Definition

The mediator is present to facilitate resolution.

 

Mediation is one of the most critical /very important component of mediation.

 

If they are bad, then the whole thing can be bad.

Term

What kind of agreements are usually signed in mediation (even if no agreement regarding the lawsuit is reached)?

 

Why are they usually signed?

Definition

Usually, non disclosure agreement are signed.

 

Non-disclosure agreements keeps information, like the numbers you were close to settling at, from being brought out in court.

Term
Can a mediator be supoenaed?
Definition
No, a mediator cannot be subpoenaed.
Term

Is there usually an opening statement in mediation?

 

Definition
Yes, there is usually an opening statement in mediation.
Term

Why is having an opening statement in mediation good?

 

Why is it bad?

 

What happens after you finish your opening statement?

Definition

Opening statements can bee good because it lets a mediator know where you stand.

 

However, it can piss the other party off even more.

 

After the opening statement, the mediator will ask for your last demand.

 

 

Term
What happens after you finish your opening statement in mediation?
Definition
After you finish your opening statement, the mediator will ask you for your last demand.
Term
May parties be caucaused (separated) during mediation?
Definition
Yes, the mediator  may ask for the parties to separate.
Term

What happens when parties are caucaused during mediation?

 

Why are parties caucaused?

Definition

The mediator will shuffle back and forth bewteen the parties.

 

This increases the likelihood that parties will open up.

 

This allows the mediator to get an idea of what is going on and the mediator can help faciliate information.

 

Separating also gives more power to the mediator and can tell each side where its weaknesses are without the worry that the other party will overhear.

 

It allows for the client and lawyer to disagree more easily.

Term
Can a mediation statement be submitted?
Definition
Yes, a mediation statement may be submitted to the mediator in some cases.
Term

What's a big no-no when submitting a mediation statement?

 

Why?

Definition
Not following the mediator's instruction makes you seem sloppy to the mediator.
Term
What is the purpose of mediation statements?
Definition

They help provide background to the mediator and flushes out the strengths and weakensses of the case.

 

Also, when you do mediation statements, the mediator is more prepared so you will get better results in the meidation.

Term
How long does mediation take place for?
Definition
Mediation usually does not take more than a day.
Term
What options of resolution are allowed in mediation?
Definition
All options of resolution are allowed.
Term
Should the details of a relase be decided during mediation?
Definition
It is better to let the details of a release be decided out of medation.
Term

Can mediation precede Arbitration?

 

Can it be a part of civil litgation

Definition

MEDIATION MAY PRECEDE ARBITRATION OR BE A PART OF COURT LITIGATION

Term

Can mediation be a part of an admnistrative proceeding?

 

Examples?

Definition

MEDIATION MAY ALSO BE A PART OF AN
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING

I.E. EEOC OR OHR

Term
Mediation's Advantages over Arbitration
Definition

1) IT IS VOLUNTARY
2) NON-BINDING
3) OPEN TO MODIFY RULES
4) SUCCESS VERY DEPENDENT ON MEDIATOR

Term
What makes a good mediator?
Definition
They need to understand the legal implications of the case but they also need to understand people and their psychology in order to manipulate them so that an agreement can be achieved.
Term
Who can be a mediator?
Definition
Anyone can be a mediator.
Term
Is arbitration voluntary?
Definition
No arbitration is mandatory and binding.
Term
Where is arbitration normally defined?
Definition

Arbitration is normally defined in a contract.

 

A treaty can also have arbitration.

Term
What is arbitration's popularity overseas?
Definition
Arbitration is a big thing internationally
Term
How many arbitrators a required for arbitration?
Definition
An arbitration agreement may require one or more arbitrators depending on the amount in controversy.
Term
what is one very common kind of contract that has an arbitration clause?
Definition
Credit Card agreements almost always have an arbitration clause.
Term
What does an arbitration clause of a contract do?
Definition
It forces a party to submit a complaint to arbitration rather than submit it to a court.
Term

How are some rules of arbitration decided?

 

Example?

Definition

Some Rules are defined by the panel you choose

 

(i.e. AAA abritrations-  a predefined set of arbitration rules).

Term
When do you choose the arbitrator?
Definition
You choose the arbitrator before discovery.
Term
What is a reason to exclude a potential arbitrator?
Definition
Conflict of interest
Term
When does discovery in arbitration begin?
Definition
After a single arbitrator or panel is chosed, then discovery begins.
Term
Types of discovery in arbitration
Definition

›Most arb agreements allow for document disclosure and interrogatories 
›
Depositions are usually not permissible 

Term
Who usually resolves discovery disputes in arbitration?
Definition
Discovery disputes in arbitration are usually resolved by the arbitrator.
Term
Is Arbitration subject to the rule of Evidence?
Definition
No, arbitration is not subject to the rules of evidence.
Term
How does an arbitration hearing proceed?
Definition

›1) BOTH SIDES OPEN WITH STATMENTS
›2) PROCEEDS SIMILAR TO COURT CASE WITH LESS FORMALITY NO RULES OF EVIDENCE
›3) ARBITRATORS MAY ASK QUESTIONS (arbitrators are usually experts so they may ask questions to clarify)
›4) PETITIONER (PLAINTIFF) BRINGS CASE PRESENTS PROOF OF CLAIM
5) ›CROSS-EXAM ALLOWED OF WITNESSES
›6) DEFENSE PRESENTS CASE
›7) SIDES CONCLUDE

Term
How does an arbitration conclude?
Definition

›1) ARBITRATORS DRAFT A DECISION AND PROVIDE IN WRITTEN FORMAT TO PARTIES
›2) Parties must abide by decision – binding
 
 

Term
Does an arbitration decision have to follow the law?
Definition
No, an arbiration decision does not have to follow the law.
Term

May an arbitration decision be appealled to court?

 

If so, how succsesful are these appeals?

 

Do courts encourage or discourage arbitration?

Definition

1) ›DECISION MAY BE APPEALED IN COURT BUT LIMITED STANDARD OF REVIEW
2) ›GENERALLY, Standard of Review is “ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS” (very difficult to prove)
3) ›COURTS ARE RELUCTANT TO OVERTURN UNLESS ARBITRATOR HAD CONFLICT OR FRAUD IN DECISION
›4) COURTS ENCOURAGE ARBITRATION – SEE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT 9 USC § 1
 
 

Term

How does the federal mandate treat arbitration clauses?

 

What happens to contradictory state lawas?

Definition
›1) FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT MANDATES UPHOLDING ARBITRATION CLAUSES IN MOST MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE A COURT – see later slide Section 9
›2) IN MANY CASES IT WILL PREEMPT STATE LAW WHICH CONTRADICT IT
›
Term

Are arbitration clauses typically enforced by the courts?

 

How can you get out of arbitration clauses?

Definition
1) Generally,  ARIBTRATION CLAUSES WILL BE ENFORCED BY THE COURTS
›2) However, you can get out of an arbitration clause by saying that the other side, or one side of the party lacked capacity, but you usually have to claim that you were fradulently induced.
Term

Who can decide the arbitrability of an issue?

 

Can they also decide the enforceability of an arbitration clause?

Definition

The arbitrator

 

Yes, the arbitrator can also decide the enforceability of an arbitration claus.

Term

Why was Arbitration created?

 

Has it achieved these goals?

Definition

1) Initially ADR created to
a. Increase speed of resolution
b. Decrease Cost to Litigants
2) Unfortunately in US not happening
3) Many arbitrations take years to complete and cost more than litigation

Term
Plaintiff's complaint regarding arbitration?
Definition

Plaintiffs (claimants) complain that since arbitrators are paid they are more inclined to side with defendants to improve their chances of being picked by them in the future

Term
Does Arbitration keep issues confidnential
Definition
Yes, arbitration still keeps issues confidential
Term
Arbitrability- Definitionss (2)
Definition

›1) Whether specific classes of disputes are barred from arbitration because of national legislation or judicial authority. Courts often refer to “public policy” as the basis of the bar.
›
2) Also  means the preliminary question of whether an

arbitral tribunal has the authority to decide, as an

initial matter, that a given dispute should be submitted

to arbitration for a determination of whether the

arbitral tribunal has jurisdiction over the dispute. 

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