This evaluation was conducted pursuant to Section 19 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31. The report finds that mediation is the most common form of alternative dispute resolution in all Tennessee counties and 3,838 mediations were conducted in the year under evaluation, according to 60 mediators. Ninety of those cases were pro bono. The report also states that implementation of Rule 31 was positive and recommends continuing to educate attorneys, judges and the public about the rule and mediation (p.6). The author examines the use of mediation and the availability of Rule 31 mediators for civil and family cases in Tennessee counties. She further discusses barriers to mediation, education and training, accountability and mediation styles, among other topics.
Evaluation of Supreme Court Rule 31: A Qualitative Assessment of Mediation in Twelve Counties
Nixon, Carol. Jan. 31, 2005http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/finalrule31rpt.pdf