Local Rule RULE 3 (LR 16.6 CJ): ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
W.D. Wis. — Civil rule
RULE 3 (LR 16.6 CJ): ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION A. Litigants are to consider the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) within thirty days of defendants' appearance.
B. The clerk of court shall administer the ADR program which procedures shall be confidential. Any disclosure of confidential dispute resolution communications is prohibited.
C. This court provides the services of its clerk to act as mediator in civil cases without additional compensation. Prior to the commencement of mediation any party may move to disqualify the mediator for any reason. Litigants are free to engage in other forms of available ADR outside the court which will not require any scheduling change in the trial and pretrial schedules.
D. The following cases are exempt from the provisions of this rule: 1 Those in which the plaintiff is proceeding pro se. 2. Collection and United States mortgage foreclosure actions. 3. Social Security appeals. 4. All matters related to bankruptcy proceedings, with the exception of adversary proceedings.
E. The court will not authorize a referral to arbitration under Section 654 of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act unless the parties dismiss the action without prejudice pending the results of the arbitration.