District of New Mexico
IN BRIEF
Process summary
Magistrate judge settlement conferences.
Mandatory settlement conferences with the magistrate judge assigned to the case are held in all civil cases, except prisoner petitions, contract recovery cases, and Social Security appeals. The settlement conferences are generally held near the close of discovery and are confidential. At the request of the assigned judge, a magistrate judge other than the one assigned to the case or another district judge will conduct the settlement conference. Between January and December 1994, approximately 300 cases participated in mandatory settlement conferences with the assigned magistrate judge.
Other ADR.
Judges in the District of New Mexico have used summary jury trials, minitrials, and special masters as facilitators of settlement. In its CJRA plan, effective January 1, 1993, the court asks the district and magistrate judges to consider additional procedures that may lead to settlement, such as consensual arbitration, mediation, conciliation, and settlement conferences. The CJRA plan indicates that the court will establish a roster of attorney-neutrals to serve as mediators and arbitrators and recommends that the district and magistrate judges discuss ADR options with parties at the initial pretrial conference.
For more information
Contact the courtroom deputy for each judge.
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