TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Dec 11, 2020

The Tennessee Supreme Court has approved a plan developed by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission to assist courts facing a backlog of civil cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission has partnered with three community mediation centers across the state to make mediation more available to litigants. The service will be available to all pending civil actions in general sessions, juvenile, chancery and circuit courts. Judges are encouraged to review their dockets and refer to mediation any cases that could benefit from the service, giving priority to cases involving self-represented litigants. Indigent parties not represented by an attorney will receive the service at no cost. To help courts implement the plan, the commission has developed a Plan Toolbox, which includes sample documents and calendars of applicable deadlines. Learn more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.