Getting Parties Ready for Mediation: Recommendations for Federal District Court Local Rules and Websites

Abstract

Courts have strong interests in promoting parties' careful preparation before mediation sessions. In general, if parties are well prepared, the process is likely to achieve the goals of all the stakeholders including parties, attorneys, mediators, and the courts. Parties would be knowledgeable, confident, and assertive so that they can make decisions as well as possible. This generally would increase the likelihood that they will settle their cases and reduce the amount of time that courts spend managing and trying cases.