The term alternative dispute resolution (ADR) means any procedure, agreed to by the parties of a dispute, in which they use the services of a neutral party to assist them in reaching agreement and avoiding litigation.
The Superior Court of Alemeda County, Local Rules, rule 3.30(c) directs that a filing party must deliver to the clerk in the assigned department “an identical courtesy copy of any paper filed, lodged, or otherwise submitted in support of, in opposition to, or in connection with any motion or application.”
Rule 3.31. Unless otherwise authorized by the court, discovery meet and confer obligations require an in-person, telephonic, or video conference between parties.
Local Rule 7-3 states, in relevant part: Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, counsel contemplating the filing of any motion shall first contact opposing counsel to discuss thoroughly, preferably in person, the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution.
The Sunshine Ordinance is an ordinance to insure easier access to public records and to strengthen the open meeting laws.
There are some cases when both mediation and arbitration are necessary to reach a solution. This is called med-arb.
A grouping of formal or informal rules or regulations, adopted and implemented at a local level, that govern the practical or procedural affairs of a local court.
Construction. The provisions of this section shall not apply to noise sources associated with construction provided the activities take place between the hours of a.m. to p.m. Monday through Fridays or a.m. to p.m. on Saturdays.
Although it is more expensive and formal than mediation, arbitration is still typically cheaper than in-court litigation and can save a lot of time. Arbitration does typically require an attorney, as it is the most similar to a lawsuit of all the alternatives to dispute resolution.