Alaska
Summary
The following summarizes statewide court ADR rules and policies. For ADR in a local jurisdiction, see the local court’s website.
Note: This is a summary of state court ADR in Alaska. Authority for federal court ADR is found in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998. Information on federal court ADR rules and procedures can be found on each court’s website. Any studies or evaluations involving federal court ADR in Alaska can be found in RSI’s Research Library and in Reports below.
State Legislation
- Alaska Statutes - Arbitration of Small Claims
- Alaska Statutes - Mediation
- Alaska Statutes - Mediation of Child Custody Matter
Statewide Court ADR Rules and Policies
State Office of Court ADR:
Statutes
Alaska Statutes - Arbitration of Small Claims
Alaska State Legislature. Jan. 1, 2021Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This article permits the court to refer to arbitration cases in which the amount in controversy is less than $3,000. The article specifies that arbitrators should be members of the Alaska Bar Association or magistrates appointed by the court, but oth...
Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990
U.S. Congress. Dec. 1, 1990; amended Dec. 9, 2001Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: With this bill, each United States district court is required to develop a civil justice expense and delay reduction plan. As part of this plan, the act authorizes district courts to refer appropriate cases to designated ADR programs. The act also re...
Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998
U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code, Oct. 1, 1998Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This act authorizes each United States District Court to require litigants in all civil cases to consider the use of ADR process. It provides the framework by which each district court should promulgate procedures and rules regarding the ADR process ...
Alaska Statues - Mediation of Child Custody Matter
Alaska Legislature. Jan. 1, 2018Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Alaska Statute Secton 25.20.080 address mediation of child custody matters. Pursuant to this statute, any time within 30 days after a petition for child custody is filed, a court may order parties to attend mediation. These mediations may be conducte...
Alaska Statues - Mediation
Alaska Legislature. Jan. 1, 2018Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Alaska Statute Section 25.24.060 address mediation in divorce. Pursuant ot this statute, any time within 30 days after a complaint in a divorce action is filed, a party may file a motion requestion mediation. All mediators are appointed by the court ...
Rules
Alaska Rules of Probate Procedure 4.5 - Mediation and Other Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Probate Court of Alaska. Jan. 1, 2013Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, the court may order mediation in any action on its own motion, or in response to a motion from an interested person, so long as it determines that mediation may result in an equitable settlement. The rule outlines requirements for wh...
Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 100 - Mediation and Other Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court of Alaska. Jan. 1, 2013Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, a party in a civil dispute may file a motion requesting mediation at any time after a complaint is filed. The court may order mediation based upon this motion, or upon its own motion. The order shall designate a mediator, a date for ...
Court of Appeals of Alaska Rule 222 - Settlement Conferences in Civil Appeals
Alaska Court of Appeals. Apr. 1, 2001Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, the court may order parties to participate in a settlement conference, at any time after a notice of appeal is filed, on its own motion or in response to a motion from a party. The rule outlines procedures for the conduct of the conf...
Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct 2.1 - Advisor
Supreme Court of Alaska. Adopted July 15, 1993; revised April 15, 2009Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: In representing a client, a lawyer shall exercise independent professional judgment and may refer to the availability of alternative forms of dispute resolution that may be relevant to the client's situation. ...
Reports
Faster and as Satisfying: An Evaluation of Alaska's Early Resolution Triage Program
Marz, Stacey. Family Court Review , Oct. 23, 2019Resource Type: Evaluation
Abstract: The Alaska Court Early Resolution Program (ERP) in Anchorage addresses many issues in family cases including self representation in divorce and custody cases, triaging to determine the appropriate resolution approach and the importance of early inter...
ADR in the Federal District Courts: An Initial Report
Stienstra, Donna. Nov. 1, 2011Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report describes the use of ADR in the federal courts. Twelve years after the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act required federal courts to provide ADR services for all civil cases, every federal district court has authorized at least one form o...
Alaska's Adult Guardianship Mediation Project Evaluation
Carns, Teresa W.; McKelvie, Susan. Mar. 9, 2001Resource Type: Evaluation
Resource Type: Mediation Efficacy Study
Abstract: This evaluation looked at data from 103 mediations and 260 participants. Mediation resulted in agreement on all or some of the issues 87% of the time, and in those cases in which Alaska Protective Services was involved, 91% of the agreements were fou...
Exemplary Family Court Programs and Practices: Profiles of Innovative and Accountable Court-Connected Programs
AFCC Court Services Task Force Exemplary Practices Sub-Committee. May. 1, 2005Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report provides information on court programs found to represent the best practices of the courts. Programs in the report include collaborative divorce, child protection mediation, permanency planning mediation, and mediation for cases involving...
The Impact of Teen Court on Young Offenders
Butts, Jeffrey A.; Buck, Janeen; Coggeshall, Mark B.. Urban Institute Justice Policy Center Research Report, Jan. 1, 2002Resource Type: Study
Abstract: This report relates the findings from the Evaluation of Teen Courts Project, which examined teen courts in Alaska, Arizona, Maryland and Missouri. The goal of the evaluation in each site was to assess the effect of the teen court process on the perce...
Resolving Disputes Locally in Rural Alaska
Connors, Joan F.. Mediation Quarterly, Jan. 1, 1993Resource Type: Evaluation
Abstract: The author presents the results of an evaluation of three programs in rural Alaska to resolve disputes in a culturally appropriate way: a conciliation organization in Barrow, the Minto Tribal Court and the Sitka Tribal Court. The evaluation compares ...
Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Alaska Court System
Alaska Judicial Council. Dec. 1, 1997Resource Type: Report
Abstract: In 1997, the Alaska Judicial Council was tasked with proposing an alternative dispute resolution program for the Alaska court System. This report contains the research the Council conducted on ADR programs in other state and federal courts, a history...
Contacts
Mediation in the Alaska Court System
Alaska Court System. Dec. 1, 2018Resource Type: Program
Abstract: This website discusses the various mediation services and programs in the Alaska Court System. Mediation is available for parenting, divorce, small claims and adult guardianship cases, among others. The site features a list of "frequently asked quest...