Southern District of Mississippi
IN BRIEF
Process summary
ADR generally.
In its CJRA plan, effective January 1, 1994, the Southern District of Mississippi encourages ADR use in appropriate cases. The court has not established a formal ADR program but provides interested parties with information about ADR resources in the community.
Judicial settlement conferences.
The court has authorized mandatory settlement conferences. The initial settlement conference is held at the case management conference. Counsel may request at any time thereafter that the magistrate judge assigned to the case schedule a settlement conference.
Of note
Obligations of counsel.
Attorneys must discuss ADR with opposing counsel and must be prepared to discuss ADR with the judge. Counsel are also required to discuss in their case management plan whether ADR would be suitable for their case and to demonstrate that they have discussed ADR with opposing counsel.
Information from court.
The clerk's office maintains a list of ADR resources available in the community.
For more information
Alfred G. Nicols, Jr., U.S. Magistrate Judge, 601-965-4525; John Roper, U.S. Magistrate Judge, 601-432-8612; James C. Sumner, U.S. Magistrate Judge, 601-965-4292
Excerpted from
ADR and Settlement in the Federal District Courts: A Sourcebook for Judges & Lawyers, 1996,
a publication of the Federal Judicial Center and CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution