
Thirteenth Judicial District Court
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Civil ADR Programs
The Thirteenth Judicial District Court provides an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program as an option to traditional litigation in civil lawsuits.
Both mediation and settlement facilitation are part of the ADR cooperative problem solving processes where a neutral third party meets with the parties involved in the cases to identify areas of agreement and disagreement and to assist them in reaching a resolution that meets their needs and interests. Parties may choose mediation or settlement facilitation.
The purpose of the Thirteenth Judicial District Court ADR program is to serve the larger community by providing quality mediation and settlement facilitation services to ensure an efficient, cost-effective, and satisfying process to resolve a variety of legal disputes throughout Cibola, Valencia and Sandoval Counties.
The goals of the program are to:
- Provide parties with a satisfying alternative to litigation.
- Provide consistent, high quality mediation (ADR) services.
- Reduce court and litigant costs.
- Reduce the time to disposition.
- Reduce the demand on judges for settlement assistance.
Mediation
Settlement Facilitation
Any party to any civil case, including domestic and probate (CV, DM, PB) cases, may request that the case be referred to either mediation or settlement facilitation through the Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (ADR) in accordance with the local rules. A judge may also refer a case to ADR without the request of a party. You do not have to be represented by an attorney to request a referral to ADR. ADR is conducted by attorneys or other professionals as agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the Court.