Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution
Abstract
This Note examines the effects of the recession on the use of mediation in New York State's family courts and argues that mediation ought to be used more, rather than less, to combat the effects of budget cuts. Section I discusses New York State's Family Court System, highlighting the system's rising caseload and dearth of resources. Section II briefly describes mediation and its use within the family court context. Section III describes the impact of the recession on NY State's Family Courts. In addition, detailed information is provided about the impact of the recession on the following programs: (1) the Community Dispute Resolution Centers, (2) the Child Permanency Mediation Program, and (3) New York City's Custody/Visitation Mediation Program. Section IV argues that rather than being cut, mediation should be more widely used within Family Court, and it summarizes the evidence that it is affordable and effective. Finally, Section V concludes that greater use of mediation in family court proceedings would be both beneficial to litigants and financially prudent for courts.
Disciplines
Courts | Dispute Resolution and Arbitration | Law
Recommended Citation
Jessica G. Mayer,
Family Court Mediation After the Financial Crisis: A Struggle Worth New York's Attention,
15
Cardozo J. Conflict Resol.
333
(2013).
Available at:
https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cjcr/vol15/iss1/14