Resolution Systems Institute

Mediation Programs - RSI works with courts to develop, improve and administer ADR programs as an adjunct to traditional litigation. These programs free courts to focus on cases that require judicial attention, while enabling disputing parties to reach resolutions faster, at a lower cost and in a more satisfying manner. Services vary by program, but typically include reaching out to mediation proponents, providing expert guidance for stakeholder meetings, drafting or refining court rules, providing sample forms, and designing program monitoring systems. In some programs, RSI also provides specialized training of neutrals, on-site program administration, and monitoring and evaluation services. RSI partners with courts, attorneys, mediators and other community members to develop mediation programs for major civil litigation, including foreclosure; small claims, including landlord/tenant; family, including child custody and financial issues; child protection; and criminal and juvenile cases. RSI is currently conducting foreclosure mediation programs in four Illinois counties: Kane, Lake, Winnebago and Boone. RSI is also conducting a child protection mediation in Kane County.

Research - RSI conducts independent research projects about the provision of quality ADR services and best practices in state and federal courts. RSI also designs and monitors and evaluates systems for court mediation throughout Illinois. This includes creating mediator reports and attorney and party evaluation surveys, as well as developing database systems to collect program information and reports to turn the data into actionable information. RSI has worked with civil, small claims, foreclosure and child custody mediation programs, as well as a juvenile restorative justice program. Researching how courts currently use ADR is essential in identifying best practices and creating program models. These are used to inspire and guide new program development, as well as improve existing programs.

Resource Center - Aboutrsi.org/Resource-Center is RSI's national resource center, the most comprehensive and respected source of information on court ADR. Highlights of Aboutrsi.org/Resource-Center include a searchable database with abstracts of more than 5,000 court ADR resources, instructions on developing and evaluating court ADR programs, and a compendium of court ADR resources from every state across the nation. RSI staff members also respond personally to inquiries from around the globe on court ADR topics.

Outreach and Education - RSI educates about ADR and advocates for court ADR to be conducted in an effective, efficient manner that is satisfying to participants. To further this goal, RSI uses a variety of outreach methods. From writing articles to publishing studies and co-editing entire books, RSI seeks to improve the quality of court ADR through an array of targeted publications. In addition, RSI staff members speak regularly to bar associations, mediation groups, and other interested audiences, about current issues in ADR such as mediation ethics, evaluating court ADR programs, and mediator quality.