Executive Order 42

Alabama Government Agencies Encouraged to Use Mediation

WHEREAS, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) offers a number of voluntary procedures which, when properly employed, commonly result in more timely, less costly dispute resolution than traditional litigation; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to continue to seek to improve the quality of the judicial system, many government agencies across the nation have called for the development and implementation of appropriate alternative methods of dispute resolution, particularly meditation; and

WHEREAS, in Alabama effective alternatives for resolving conflicts are desirable and mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement regarding their dispute by conducting sessions intended to identify pertinent issues, clarify any misunderstandings, and seriously explore the possibility of settlement among the parties -- the mediator does not render any decision or impose a solution on any party, but facilitates discussions among the parties to assist them in resolving, by consensus, their dispute; and

WHEREAS, meditation offers many advantages to state agencies in securing timely and cost effective resolution of disputes governed by the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, while at all times preserving the sovereign immunity of the State of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Legislature has favored mediation, having passed the Alabama Mediation Act, which became effective on May 17, 1996 and is now codified at Section 6-6-20, Code of Alabama, 1975.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Fob James, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and the State of Alabama, as Governor of the Great State of Alabama, for these reasons and for other good and valid considerations, do hereby encourage state agencies to study, develop and implement appropriate procedures within their agencies to allow, upon agreement and after all sovereign, discretionary, and qualified immunity issues are resolved, the use of mediation to resolve disputes among parties, whether involving other state agencies, their agents, servants, employees, or other third parties.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that this order shall be in effect until altered or amended by the Governor of the State of Alabama in subsequent executive orders on this subject.

DONE AND ORDERED this 18th day of March, 1998

Fob James, Jr.
Governor

Jim Bennett
Secretary of State

 

 

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Alabama AG Opinion

Alabama Executive Orders

  • Executive Order 7, Expansion of the Workplace Mediation Pilot Program, March 20, 2003
  • Executive Order 50, State Agency ADR Task Force Appointed: Executive Order 50, September 16, 1998
  • Executive Order 42, Alabama Government Agencies Encouraged to Use Mediation, March 18, 1998

 


Private Judges

The Alabama Private Judge Act authorized the appointment of former or retired judges to serve as private judges in certain district and circuit court cases. - More -

Arbitrators

Arbitration agreements, are often found in pre-printed consumer contracts. They require parties to the contract to resolve disputes in binding arbitration, rather than in court before a judge and/or jury. - More -

Mediators

Mediation is a confidential, informal process during which an impartial third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement regarding their dispute.

  • General Mediation offers a path to resolving many disputes. - More -
  • Family Mediation offers divorce and family mediation for parenting, divorce and post-divorce issues. - More -
  • Forclosure Prevention and Mortgage Modification Mediation offers specially-trained mediators to assist Alabama citizens with foreclosure and mortgage problems by mediating between the homeowner and the mortgage holder. - More -

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WHO WE ARE

Alabama CDR is the state office of dispute resolution. At the Center, we work with the courts, the Alabama State Bar, state agencies, schools, community mediation initiatives, and businesses to promote early and peaceful resolution of disputes. We are the administrative arm of the Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution.

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(334) 356-3802

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