Arkansas
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 Arkansas. 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 Arkansas can be found in RSI’s Research Library and in Reports below.
State Legislation
- Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission
- Arkansas Dispute Resolution Statutes
- Arkansas Divorce Mediation Statute
- Arkansas Mediation Statute
- Arkansas Uniform Arbitration Act
- Arkansas Youth Mediation Program Act
Statewide Court ADR Rules and Policies
- Arkansas Requirements for the Certification of Mediators
- Arkansas Continuing Mediation Education Requirements for Certified Mediators
- Arkansas Requirements for the Conduct of Mediation and Mediators
- Arkansas Procedures for the Discipline of Mediators
- Arkansas ADR Commission Rules for Regulation of Proceedings
- Arkansas Requirements and Procedures for Inclusion on the Roster of Certified Mediators for Circuit Courts
- Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commision Minimum Standards for Mediator Training
State Office of Court ADR:
Statutes
Arkansas Mediation Statute
Arkansas Legislature. Jan. 1, 2021Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute outlines that all trial and appellate courts have the authority to encourage the settlement of controversies with appropriate ADR. Circuit and appellate courts are permited to order any civil, juvenile, probate, or domestic relations cas...
Arkansas Youth Mediation Program Act
Arkansas Legislature. Jan. 1, 0201Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Arkansas Code Title 9, Subtitle 3, Chapter 31, Subchapter 4 establishes the Arkansas Youth Mediation Program, whose duties include operating pilot mediation programs in schools and providing "training and technical assistance for circuit courts to me...
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission Statute
Arkansas Legislature. Jan. 1, 2020Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Arkansas Code Title 16, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1 establishes the Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. The commission is comprised of 7 members: 3 attorneys appointed by the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme court (1 of whom is recom...
Arkansas Uniform Arbitration Act
Arkansas Legislature. Jan. 1, 2020Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Arkansas Code Title 16, Chapter 18, Subchapter 2 outlines the Uniform Arbitration Act. Arbitration may be pursued if ordered by the court or by party consent. These statutes addresses the appointing of arbitrators, the duties and power of arbitrators...
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 ...
Arkansas Dispute Resolution Statutes
Arkansas State Legislature. Aug. 7, 2009Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: Arkansas Code Title 16 Chapter 7 outline dispute resolution. Subchapters 201-207 address legislative purpose and intent, duty and authority of the court, duty and authority of state and local officers and agencies and governments, counseling by atto...
Arkansas Divorce Mediation Statute
Arkansas Legislature. Jan. 1, 2001Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute addresses the steps that should be taken in divorce actions involving minor children. In such actions, the court may require the parties to complete a parenting class or to submit to mediation addressing parenting, custody and visitation...
Rules
Arkansas Requirements for the Conduct of Mediation and Mediators
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Jan. 1, 2021Resource Type: Standards - Court, Rules - Court
Abstract: These rules, created by the Arkansas ADR Commission, set standards of behavior for mediators in mediations in Arkansas. They are an framework for the ethical practice of mediation. The rules serve three goals (1) to guide mediator conduct, (2) to inf...
Arkansas ADR Commission Rules for Regulation of Proceedings
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Jan. 1, 2019Resource Type: Standards - Court, Rules - Court
Abstract: These rules outline and describe the Arkansas ADR Commission. The Commission consists of 7 appointed individuals. The purpose of the Commission is to provide the citizens of Arkansas with altenrative methods to resolve dispute. The Commission's role ...
Arkansas Requirements for the Certification of Mediators
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Jan. 1, 2019Resource Type: Rules - Court, Standards - Court
Abstract: These rules outline the requirements mediators must meet to be a certified mediator in Arkansas' courts. Indivduals interested in mediating must submit an application to the Arkasas ADR Commission with a $75 application fee which includes a certified...
Reports
Online Dispute Resolution in the United States
American Bar Association. Sep. 1, 2020Resource Type: Report
Abstract: The ABA Center for Innovation surveyed the extent of court-annexed online dispute resolution (ODR) in the United States as it existed at the end of 2019. This report contains statistics and visualizations to document the information captured from the...
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...
Court-Ordered Mediations in Arkansas: 2010
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Jan. 1, 2010Resource Type: Statistics
Abstract: This report presents statistics on cases mediated in the Arkansas circuit courts during fiscal year 2010. Overall, 440 cases were referred to mediation. These included domestic relations, civil, juvenile and probate cases. Sixty-three percent of case...
Court-Ordered Mediations in Arkansas: 2008
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Jan. 1, 2008Resource Type: Report
Abstract: This report presents statistics on Arkansas' alternative dispute resolution program based on 381 statistical reporting forms collected by the Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008. Cases inc...
Contacts
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission
Resource Type: Organization
Abstract: The Arkansas ADR Commission provides education regarding ADR to the courts, other government agencies and the general public. It also "establishes standards and regulations for certification, professional conduct, discipline and training of persons e...
Arkansas Access & Visitation Family Mediation Program - Program Overview
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Jan. 1, 1997Resource Type: Program
Abstract: This overview discusses the Arkansas Access and Visitation Mediation Program, which was established in 1997 and works to "support and facilitate non-custodial parents' access to and visitation with their children." The program mediates access, custod...
University of Arkansas Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Mediation Clinic
University of Arkansas Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.Resource Type: Program
Abstract: Through the Mediation Clinic, law students complete extensive mediation training and mediate court-referred cases. The clinic handles small claims, access and visitation, abuse and neglect, and juvenile delinquency disputes. The clinic also provides ...