About the Program
There are many forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) available to citizens of Lake County, from both inside the courts and via private forums. 2 ADR programs utilized by the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit are the Civil Case Mediation and Mandatory Court-Annexed Arbitration programs.
Civil Case Mediation
Civil case mediation differs from mandatory court-annexed arbitration in many ways including, but not limited to:
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The parties select the individual mediator, whereas the Court randomly selects the arbitrators
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The parties pay the mediator directly at a rate determined by the mediator, while the State of Illinois pays the arbitrators at a rate determined by the Illinois Supreme Court
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The mediation can be conducted in a variety of locations, while an arbitration hearing must be held at a location determined by the Court
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There is no specified time limit for mediation as the mediator may have to conduct multiple sessions spanning several days, but an arbitration hearing cannot exceed 1 full day