Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs

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:
  • The parties select the individual mediator, whereas the Court randomly selects the arbitrators
  • 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
  • The mediation can be conducted in a variety of locations, while an arbitration hearing must be held at a location determined by the Court
  • 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