Opinion
06-23-00082-CV
01-23-2024
THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THE PROTECTION OF CALLAWAY LOGAN SMITH, Appellant v. MATTHEW SMITH, Appellee
On Appeal from the 57th District Court Bexar County, Texas Trial Court No. 2022-CI-13088.
Before Stevens, C.J., van Cleef and Rambin, JJ.
ORDER
All Texas courts are responsible for encouraging the peaceable resolution of disputes and the early settlement of pending litigation through voluntary settlement procedures. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §§ 154.002, 154.003 (Legislature's expressed public policy favoring alternative dispute resolution). Mediation provides one such forum through which parties often reach this early settlement. We have been notified by counsel for the appellant that both parties believe that mediation may be of value in this case. In accordance with our obligation under Section 154.003, we refer this case and the parties to mediation. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §§ 154.003, 154.021. Any objection regarding this order shall be filed within seven calendar days of the date of the order.
Appellant filed a motion seeking to abate the matter to allow for mediation. While we deny the motion to the extent it seeks an abatement to the trial court, we grant the motion to the extent it seeks referral of the case to mediation.
The mediation shall be completed by no later than February 29, 2024. No later than seven calendar days following the mediation, or on or before March 7, 2024, the appellant shall deliver a report to this Court detailing the results of the mediation.
The current appellate timetables are hereby suspended. We will establish a new briefing schedule upon receipt of notice of an unsuccessful mediation or if the appellant fails to report on or before March 7, 2024, as contemplated by this order.
IT IS SO ORDERED.