22nd Judicial Circuit Arbitration Center moving location and changing names

The 22nd Judicial Circuit's Arbitration Center will be moving its operation to 400 Russell Court, Woodstock, effective Wednesday, March 1, and now will be named the 22nd Judicial Circuit's Alternative Dispute Resolution Center. The ADR Center is funded solely by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

The ADR Center currently is responsible for the coordination of arbitration cases filed in McHenry County.

Arbitration is a successful means in civil case management. Most arbitration cases are resolved before the arbitration hearing, with a relatively small number of cases actually proceeding to a hearing.

After the hearing, cases are either dismissed or set for trial; many cases settle without the need for a trial. Every year less than four percent of the arbitration cases filed result in a trial. Alternative means to resolve disputes saves litigants time and money.

Arbitration is mandatory for civil cases seeking money damages between $10,000 and $50,000. Cases eligible for arbitration proceed in court along an expedited track, with arbitration hearings required to be held before the anniversary of the filing.

A panel of three arbitrators conducts the hearing, allowing the parties to present all facts, evidence, and law, before rendering an award. The arbitration award is not binding for 30 days, during which time either party present at the arbitration hearing may "reject" the award, pay a rejection fee and then proceed to a trial before a judge or jury.

Additionally, the ADR Center will begin expanding its role to include other forms of dispute resolution. Opportunities being explored include the coordination of small claims and family mediation and the exploration of civil mediation for other cases, including mortgage foreclosures.