Missouri
Summary
Authority for Court ADR Derives from:
State Courts
- Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and Judiciary Rule 17 - Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Missouri Supreme Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 88 - Dissolution, Legal Separation and Child Support
Federal Courts
State Office of Court ADR:
- No full-time state court ADR office.
Court ADR Processes Available:
Appellate
- Settlement Conference
Bankruptcy
- Mediation
Child Custody & Visitation
- Mediation
Civil
- Arbitration
- Early Neutral Evaluation
- Mediation
- Minitrial
- Summary Jury Trial
Divorce-General
- Mediation
Funding Sources that Support Court ADR:
- Party Fees
Statutes
Missouri Statute 452.600: Educational sessions program shall be established by courts--for proceedings involving custody or support.
Missouri General Assembly. Approved June 23, 1993; amended July 13, 1998Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute requires circuit courts to provide educational programs for parties to cases involving child custody or support. The programs must discuss the effects of divorce on minor children and the benefits of alternative dispute resolution, inclu...
Missouri Statute 487.100: Mediation, counseling, home study may be recommended--costs.
Missouri General Assembly. Approved June 2, 1993; amended June 29, 2004Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This law authorizes judges to order parties to family court cases to participate in mediation. Parties may also request to participate in mediation. Courts may determine the cost of mediation and may charge the parties for mediation, taking into acco...
Missouri Statute 452.403: Grandparent denied visitation, court may order mediation upon written request, purpose-costs-venue-termination of mediation, when
Missouri General Assembly. July 9, 1992Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: This statute authorizes the court to order mediation between a grandparent denied visitation rights and a party who has custody or visitation rights with the child, upon the request of the grandparent. ...
Missouri Statute 435.014: Arbitrators, may not be subpoenaed--proceedings regarded as settlement negotiations, communications confidential.
Missouri General Assembly. 1986Resource Type: Legislation
Abstract: If all parties to a dispute agree to submit their dispute to arbitration, mediation or conciliation, the neutral who serves in that process cannot be subpoenaed or otherwise compelled to disclose information gained in the setting up or conducting of ...
Rules
13th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.12: Mediation of Child Custody and Visitation Disputes
13th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Current as of June 1, 2010Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: In cases involving child custody or visitation disputes, parties must participate in at least two hours of mediation. Parties may choose a mediator from a roster maintained by the court, or the court may assign a mediator. Mediators are required to s...
31st Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 6.9(d): Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
31st Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Adopted Sept. 9, 2009Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: In every case involving contested family law disputes, parties must participate in at least two hours of mediation or other alternative dispute resolution program. Prior to mediation, parties must attend an educational session on ADR. Other ADR progr...
14th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.11: Settlement Conference
14th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective May 1, 2009Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: In divorce cases in which no settlement has been reached within a set time period, the case is scheduled for a mandatory settlement conference led by a judge not assigned to try the case. Both parties and their attorneys are required to attend the co...
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Rule 9019 - Mediation
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. June 5, 2008; amended July 12, 2012Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, parties are to agree upon a mediator, regardless of whether the mediation was ordered by the court. The parties and the mediator shall determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the mediator. The mediator shall file a final m...
11th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rules 68.15-68.21: Alternative Dispute Resolution
11th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Adopted Dec. 10, 2007; partially amended Dec. 7, 2009Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: These rules set guidelines for the mediation of child custody and visitation disputes. Parties may choose to participate in mediation, or the court may order a case to mediation. The court will maintain a roster of court-approved mediators. Parties m...
18th Judicial Circuit of Missouri Local Rule 68.6: Pretrial Conference - Mediation
18th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective Dec. 20, 2006; amended effective Feb. 5 2007Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Dissolution, custody and paternity cases involving disputed issues where no settlement can be reached without a contested evidentiary hearing will be referred to a pretrial conference/mediation. The conference will be held by a judge who has not been...
43rd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 36.0: Civil Case Requirements - Circuit Court Division Pre-Trial Settlement Conferences, Mediation
43rd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Adopted effective Aug. 25, 2006; amended effective Oct. 9, 2007Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Contested civil cases will be scheduled for a pre-trial settlement conference prior to trial. The court recommends that discovery be completed prior to the settlement conference. If no settlement is reached at the conference, the trial judge may orde...
29th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rules 68.12-68.19: Mediation of Child Custody and Visitation
29th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective Jan. 1, 2005Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Every case involving contested issues of child custody and visitation will be referred to mediation. Parties must participate in at least two hours of mediation, and are encouraged to also discuss issues relating to child support and property divisio...
30th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.9: Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
30th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective Jan. 1, 2005; amended Dec. 1, 2008Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Parties to contested family law cases must participate in at least two hours of mediation. This requirement may be waived by the court if good cause is shown. Prior to mediation, both parties must attend an educational session on alternative dispute ...
45th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.13: Alternative Dispute Resolution
Adopted effective Jan. 16, 2004Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: This rule authorizes the court to order civil disputes to mediation. Parties may also request to participate in mediation. The court will maintain a roster of court-approved mediators. The parties may choose a mediator from this roster, or the court ...
45th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rules 68.14-68.19: Mediation of Child Custody and Visitation
45th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Adopted effective Jan. 16, 2004Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: These rules require parties in disputes involving contested issues of child custody or visitation to participate in at least two hours of mediation. The rules define the mediation process, set requirements for assigning and paying mediators, and desc...
11th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 38: Alternative Dispute Resolution
11th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective Jan. 1, 2004Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Parties to all civil actions will be notified of alternative dispute resolution programs available through the court. These ADR programs include arbitration, early neutral evaluation, mediation, mini-trial and summary jury trial. Agreements reached t...
28th Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.10: Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
28th Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective January 2004Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Parties in every case involving contested family law disputes are required to participate in at least two hours of mediation. Prior to mediation, parties must attend an alternative dispute resolution education session. Parties may choose a mediator f...
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Rule 16.5 - Alternative Dispute Resolution
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Adopted April 1, 2001Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, alternative dispute resolution proceedings are authorized for use in all civil actions. Participation in the Early Assessment Program is mandated in certain divisions. In addition, litigants in all civil cases shall consider the use ...
7th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.8: Custody/Visitation Mediation
7th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Effective January 1, 2001Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: This rule requires parties to dissolution of marriage, legal separation or paternity actions in which there are child custody or visitation disputes to participate in mediation. Cases will be screened for mediation by the court's Office of Dispute Re...
44th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.15: Court-ordered mediation
44th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri.Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: The court order parties in divorce cases to mediation. Parties are responsible for scheduling mediation with a court-approved mediator and are required to attend or face court sanctions. ...
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Rule 16-6: Alternative Dispute Resolution
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Adopted July 1, 1998; amended August 11, 2011Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, the court may refer any appropriate civil case to mediation, early neutral evaluation, or another appropriate ADR process. This referral may be on the court's own motion or the motion of any party. Parties shall select the neutral fr...
Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and Judiciary Rule 17 - Alternative Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court of Missouri. Adopted October 22, 1996; revised January 1, 2009Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, a civil action may be referred to mediation upon motion of any party or by the court, or upon stipulation of the parties. Parties shall select the neutral, though the court may make the determination if parties cannot reach an agreem...
19th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 68.22: Mediation
19th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Adopted effective April 25, 1996; amended Jan. 1, 2003Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Cases involving contested issues of child custody or visitation may be ordered to mediation at the request of the parties or on the court's own motion. Mediators must be the qualifications listed in Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88, and must submit a f...
22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Local Rule 38: Voluntary Early Dispute Resolution
22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. Adopted May 30, 1995; partially amended March 18, 2008Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Civil and family cases may be referred to mediation at the request of the parties or by the court's own motion. When mediation is ordered by the court, parties may opt out of participating in mediation if they determine it will not be productive. The...
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri: Early Assessment Program Part VII - Alternative Dispute Resolution Options and Procedures
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Adopted January 1, 1992; amended effective September 13, 2007Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: This rule provides basic procedures for conducting alternative dispute resolution. Under this rule, the administrator shall designate the method of selection of the neutral. Procedures are also outlined for the filing of reports and rescheduling of s...
Missouri Supreme Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 88 - Dissolution, Legal Separation and Child Support
Supreme Court of Missouri. Adopted December 27, 1990; amended December 23, 2008Resource Type: Rules - Court
Abstract: Under this rule, any judicial circuit may elect to establish a mediation program for child custody and visitation disputes. Any contested issue of child custody or visitation may be referred to mediation at any time on the motion of a party or the co...
Reports
The Challenge of Institutionalizing Alternative Dispute Resolution: Attorney Perspectives on the Effect of Rule 17 on Civil Litigation in Missouri
McAdoo, Bobbi; Hinshaw, Art. Missouri Law Review, Summer 2002Resource Type: Study
Abstract: This study discusses a survey conducted to evaluate a 1997 revision to Rule 17 of the Missouri Supreme Court, which allows judges to order cases to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. The authors surveyed lawyers to 'assess when and why...
Contacts
Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition
Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition. Established March 2005Resource Type: Organization
Abstract: The mission of the Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition is "to create safe and peaceful communities for all Missourians by promoting the understanding and use of restorative justice principles and practices." The Coalition works to increase awarene...
Association of Missouri Mediators
Association of Missouri Mediators. Established 1998Resource Type: Organization
Abstract: The Association of Missouri Mediators promotes the use of mediation throughout the state. Its website offers information about how to become a mediator in Missouri, a current mediator directory, links to training programs, and other mediation resourc...
M.A.R.C.H. Mediation Program
Resource Type: Program
Abstract: M.A.R.C.H. is a not-for-profit corporation whose acronym stands for "mediation achieving results for children." This organization, which works in 20 Missouri counties, makes mediation services available to parents who are divorced or separated, and ...
7th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Dispute Resolution Services
7th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri.Resource Type: Program
Abstract: The 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri offers arbitration, family mediation and small claims mediation services. This website provides descriptions of each program, as well as links to local mediation rules and the court's mediator roster....
16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri Family Court Mediation Program
16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri.Resource Type: Program
Abstract: The 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri provides mediation services for parties involved in contested child custody or visitation disputes. This website describes the program, providing information about the mediation procedure, costs, scheduling...