Research

Need
Services
Accomplishments
Staff Contact

NEED
Researching how courts currently use ADR is essential in identifying best practices and creating program models. These can be used to inspire and guide new program development, as well as improve existing programs.

SERVICES
For courts or other organizations without the resources to conduct their own research, RSI can:

• Gather data and other information
• Analyze data
• Develop program models
• Offer recommendations for best practices

To seek RSI's research services, contact Director of Research Jennifer Shack at jshack[at]aboutrsi[dot]org. Visit our Program Development and Monitoring & Evaluation pages for information about RSI's other services to assist court ADR programs.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
RSI has conducted numerous independent research projects about the provision of quality ADR services and best practices:

• Model Forms Project (forthcoming) – Will provide courts with model evaluation forms and instructions on how to use them. This project has been undertaken in collaboration with the American Bar Association.
• Mediation Referral Analysis Project (forthcoming) – Analyzes existing small claims mediation referral processes and presents six model referral systems
• Foreclosure Dispute Resolution Program Models State-by-State (2012) – Provides a comprehensive review of foreclosure dispute resolution programs in the US
• Foreclosure Dispute Resolution by the Numbers (2012) – Reviews statistics for foreclosure dispute resolution programs in the US that have made their data public
• Foreclosure Mediation Programs Funding (executive summary) (2011) – Reviews funding and compensation structures of foreclosure mediation programs in the US
• Foreclose Mediation in Depth Series (2011) – Examines foreclosure mediation programs in the US in terms of monthly caseload and purposes and objectives
• Court Form Nuts & Bolts (2008) – Analyzes and recommends sample state and federal court forms for civil, small claims, family and appellate ADR programs
• Court Rule Nuts & Bolts (2008) – Analyzes and recommends sample state and federal court rules for civil, family, child dependency, bankruptcy and appellate ADR programs
• Bibliographic Summary of Cost, Pace and Satisfaction Studies of Court-Related Mediation Programs (2007) – Summarizes findings from dozens of evaluations of court-connected mediation programs
• Accessing Justice through Mediation: Pathways for Poor and Low-Income Disputants (2007) – Demonstrates the value of using mediation to address many of the most pressing types of legal problems faced by poor and low-income Illinoisans and offers a model for doing so.

RSI has also collaborated on books that support quality court ADR:

• ADR Handbook for Judges for the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution
• Alternative Dispute Resolution for Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education

STAFF CONTACT
Jennifer Shack, Director of Research
312-922-6475 x24
jshack[at]aboutrsi[dot]org