Rule 1 - Overview and Scope of Appellate Mediation Program(a) Scope. The appellate mediation program, established in the Supreme Court of Alabama and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals pursuant to Rule 55 of the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, provides an alternative means for resolving appeals in civil cases. The program is coordinated by an executive director, and operates, in each court, under the direct supervision of an appellate mediation administrator, an attorney employed by the respective court. The appellate mediation office shall be located in the judicial building in Montgomery, Alabama. (b) Goals. To the extent resources are available, this program will provide the parties with a forum and process by which they can: (1) realistically consider the possibility of settlement of the entire case or issues in the case; (2) discuss limiting and simplifying the issues on appeal; (3) take actions that may reduce costs; and (4) aid the speedy and just resolution of any case. Adopted 1/6/2004; amended 10/31/2005; amended 9/15/2008.The order amending Rule 1(a), Rule 2(f), Rule 4(h), Rule 5(f)(2), and Rule 6(b) and adopting the Court Comment to Amendment to Rule 6(b), is effective September 15, 2008.
.Court Comment.
Time is of the essence to the program, and early scheduling is intended to give the parties the opportunity to settle a case before they incur the major expenses of having the clerk's record and the reporter's transcript prepared and of filing briefs.
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