ADR Program
The Alternative Dispute Resolution office oversees and supports two component programs: case evaluation and mediation. These programs are governed by Michigan Court Rules (MCR) 2,403, 2.404, 2.410, 2.411 and 3.216.
Applications to serve as a case evaluator, a civil mediator or a domestic relations mediator are required. Prior to serving, applicants must be approved by a committee that includes the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, appointed members of the Genesee County Bar Association and the ADR Clerk.
The case evaluation panel is comprised of 3 attorneys who review written briefs and hear parties or attorneys orally present their case. The panel members confer, assess the cases and issue a recommended resolution.
All case evaluation hearings are conducted via Zoom.
Payments
The ADR clerk collects case evaluation fess and adjournment fees. Case evaluation fees are $25.00 per attorney evaluator. Checks should be made payable to the attorney evaluators. Fees should be submitted to the ADR Clerk 14 days after receiving notice of the hearing date.
Summaries
Case evaluation briefs are due 7 days before a scheduled hearing. Parties are assessed a late filing fee in the amount of $150.00 if briefs are not filed timely. The $150.00 penalty also applies to cases that are settled or dismissed 14 days prior to case evaluation where summaries were not submitted.
One copy of the summary should be emailed to adrclerk@7thcircuitcourt.com. The ADR clerk will provide summaries to the evaluators.
All late fee checks should be made payable to the Genesee County Treasurer and delivered to the ADR Clerk. Late briefs should be delivered directly to the evaluators.
Orders for Adjournments
All orders requesting an adjournment of a case evaluation hearing must address adjournment costs. If costs are assessed or waived by the judge, it must be stated in the order. The ADR clerk must know the amount and the parties responsible for payment. The parties should submit their check(s) to the ADR office. The ADR Clerk will let the judicial staff know that payment has been made.
Approved Case Evaluators
Generally, cases are ordered into mediation during the pre-trial phase. Parties are given 14 days to select a mutually agreeable mediator and notify the ADR Clerk in writing. If the parties cannot agree, the court appoints a mediator from its roster of approved civil mediators.
Mediation must be completed by the discovery deadline noted in the order for mediation. All mediators are required to contact the parties, schedule a mutually agreeable time to conduct mediation and notify the court of the date. Upon completion of mediation, a Mediation Status Report form must be filed with the ADR Clerk. Cases that are not resolved in mediation proceed to case evaluation.
In conjunction with the local Community Resolution Center (CRC), a motion day domestic relations pilot program has been ongoing in the courtroom of Judge David Newblatt. The purpose of this program is to educate judges, lawyers and the public about the benefits of domestic relations mediation.
Applications to serve as a case evaluator, a civil mediator or a domestic relations mediator are required. Prior to serving, applicants must be approved by a committee that includes the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, appointed members of the Genesee County Bar Association and the ADR Clerk.
Case Evaluation
Presently this office is governed by the court rule requirements of MCR 2.403 and MCR 2.404. Cases that seek money damages are ordered to case evaluation. The ADR Clerk assigns panels, schedules cases and processes the fees and briefs submitted by parties.The case evaluation panel is comprised of 3 attorneys who review written briefs and hear parties or attorneys orally present their case. The panel members confer, assess the cases and issue a recommended resolution.
All case evaluation hearings are conducted via Zoom.
Payments
The ADR clerk collects case evaluation fess and adjournment fees. Case evaluation fees are $25.00 per attorney evaluator. Checks should be made payable to the attorney evaluators. Fees should be submitted to the ADR Clerk 14 days after receiving notice of the hearing date.
Summaries
Case evaluation briefs are due 7 days before a scheduled hearing. Parties are assessed a late filing fee in the amount of $150.00 if briefs are not filed timely. The $150.00 penalty also applies to cases that are settled or dismissed 14 days prior to case evaluation where summaries were not submitted.
One copy of the summary should be emailed to adrclerk@7thcircuitcourt.com. The ADR clerk will provide summaries to the evaluators.
All late fee checks should be made payable to the Genesee County Treasurer and delivered to the ADR Clerk. Late briefs should be delivered directly to the evaluators.
Orders for Adjournments
All orders requesting an adjournment of a case evaluation hearing must address adjournment costs. If costs are assessed or waived by the judge, it must be stated in the order. The ADR clerk must know the amount and the parties responsible for payment. The parties should submit their check(s) to the ADR office. The ADR Clerk will let the judicial staff know that payment has been made.
Approved Case Evaluators
Mediation
Mediation is a process in which the parties work with a trained neutral to reach an acceptable resolution to the issues involved. Unlike a judicially imposed resolution, the parties seek to find common ground and forge a voluntary settlement. The job of the mediator is help the parties communicate with each other and find mutually beneficial solutions. MCR 2.410, 2.411 and 3.216, governs mediation.Generally, cases are ordered into mediation during the pre-trial phase. Parties are given 14 days to select a mutually agreeable mediator and notify the ADR Clerk in writing. If the parties cannot agree, the court appoints a mediator from its roster of approved civil mediators.
Mediation must be completed by the discovery deadline noted in the order for mediation. All mediators are required to contact the parties, schedule a mutually agreeable time to conduct mediation and notify the court of the date. Upon completion of mediation, a Mediation Status Report form must be filed with the ADR Clerk. Cases that are not resolved in mediation proceed to case evaluation.
In conjunction with the local Community Resolution Center (CRC), a motion day domestic relations pilot program has been ongoing in the courtroom of Judge David Newblatt. The purpose of this program is to educate judges, lawyers and the public about the benefits of domestic relations mediation.