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Just Court ADR

The blog of Resolution Systems Institute

Archive for the ‘Program Evaluation’ Category

Foreclosure Mediation Programs Reflect and Refine

Just Court ADR, April 22nd, 2014

Foreclosure mediation programs can now be found all over the country. Models vary widely, both in their rules and procedures and in terms of the populations they serve. Most programs were started as a response to the mortgage foreclosure crisis and some programs have been around for a number of years now. While it’s often argued that the worst of the housing crisis is behind us and that foreclosure mediation programs are no longer necessary, new studies are revealing that the need is there, that programs can be effective, and that there are lessons to be learned in terms of how programs can maximize results.

Maine is one state evaluating its foreclosure response and concluding that foreclosure mediation is having a positive impact. (more…)

More Evidence of the Effectiveness of Restorative Justice

Jennifer Shack, April 10th, 2014

For this month’s Court ADR Connection (RSI’s monthly e-newsletter), I wrote about a study of 10 restorative justice conferences that demonstrated significant benefits to the community by reducing re-offense and to victims by enhancing their emotional well-being. New research from New Zealand provides more evidence of the benefits of RJCs. The study was large, examining re-offense rates of 2,323 individuals aged 17 or over who participated in RJCs and 6,718 matched individuals who went through a police diversion or court process.  To be included in the study, the offenders had to plead guilty to a charge in district court. Those who participated in RJCs committed 23% fewer offenses over the next twelve months than the matched group. The proportion of those reoffending was 12% less for the RJC group. However, in the second and third years the difference in re-offense rates between the groups narrowed.

Yes, It Can Be Done: Ten Program Models, One Online System

Jennifer Shack, March 12th, 2014

When Resolution Systems Institute received a grant from the Illinois Attorney General to develop foreclosure mediation programs across the state, it was our opportunity to practice what we preach. From RSI’s inception, we’ve been telling courts that they need to monitor and evaluate their mediation programs to ensure that they’re providing quality services to those who come to them to resolve disputes. We’ve also been urging them to incorporate the development of a monitoring and evaluation system into their program design process. Too often, courts have decided against doing this, or have settled for a system that collects minimal data, such as number of mediations and number of settlements. The main problem has been lack of staff and money to develop and maintain such a system, as well as, perhaps, a lack of understanding of what it could provide. (more…)

State Resource Spotlight, Part 2

Just Court ADR, June 4th, 2013

Last week I discussed three excellent court ADR websites from around the country. This week, here are three more outstanding sites.

Each of the sites in this series offers resources that make it unique. From a pledge for businesses to commit to ADR, to a parties’ guide to selecting a mediator, many of these features can be useful far beyond the boundaries of their own state.  (more…)

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