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Full-Text Articles in Law

Images Of Justice , Lela P. Love Apr 2012

Images Of Justice , Lela P. Love

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

This Essay crystallizes core elements of the major dispute resolution processes: litigation, arbitration and mediation. The purpose is both to clarify essential characteristics of and the role of the neutral in each process and to identify the relation of those characteristics and that role to a conception of "justice." The piece explores whether certain shifts in process characteristics or the neutral's role (for example, arbitration that is not voluntary or a mediator adopting an evaluative orientation) so fundamentally change the particular process as to compromise its relation to a compelling conception of fairness and justice.


Mediation And Jury Trials As Means Of Resolving Will Contests , Ronald Chester Apr 2012

Mediation And Jury Trials As Means Of Resolving Will Contests , Ronald Chester

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

In the vast range of human problems that law seeks to govern, there are certain areas in which legalisms and legal thinking are not particularly useful. It is my belief that one of these areas is that of will contests, in which nonlawyer dispute resolution seems particularly effective.


Making Peace The Old Fashioned Way: Infusing Traditional Tribal Practices Into Modern Adr , Matt Arbaugh Apr 2012

Making Peace The Old Fashioned Way: Infusing Traditional Tribal Practices Into Modern Adr , Matt Arbaugh

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

Native Americans have their own unique traditional method of resolving disputes. Their processes, called peacemaking by some tribes, place the emphasis not on the guilt of the wrongdoer, but on restoring relationships and finding a solution that is amenable to all involved. This emphasis on saving the relationship has many similarities to current practices of mediation. Among the similar goals between mediation and peacemaking are the use of ADR allows both sides to reach a better conclusion and the desire to spend less money and to satisfy more people. However, this approach has critics who see it as another attempt …


Making It Work At Work: Mediation's Impact On Employee/Employer Relationships And Mediator Neutrality , Allison Balc Apr 2012

Making It Work At Work: Mediation's Impact On Employee/Employer Relationships And Mediator Neutrality , Allison Balc

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

This Comment discusses the ADR process of mediation in the employment setting, specifically addressing its benefits and effects on the employer/employee relationship and the potential for a non-neutral mediator who is paid by, or has some previous tie to, one of the parties. Section IA examines judicial and legislative views of ADR and mediation. IB discusses mediation's effectiveness in the workplace. Section II discusses the mediation process in an employment dispute. Section III discusses the effects of mediation on the employer and employee, empirical studies, the neutrality of mediators, and potential remedies. Section IV discusses neutrality in the mediation process. …


Filling The Gap Between Morality And Jurisprudence: The Use Of Binding Arbitration To Resolve Claims Of Restitution Regarding Nazi-Stolen Art , Rebecca Keim Apr 2012

Filling The Gap Between Morality And Jurisprudence: The Use Of Binding Arbitration To Resolve Claims Of Restitution Regarding Nazi-Stolen Art , Rebecca Keim

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

Recognizing the gaps in existing legislation, this article will argue that disputes arising between claimants and museums regarding the repatriation of Nazi-looted artwork should be decided by binding arbitration rather than litigation. To facilitate such arbitration, international law should support the creation of an arbitration commission, which would provide the most efficient and consistent way to resolve claims. Moreover, a neutral forum with clear rules of law and procedure capable of resolving claims would not only be more fair to claimants, but also to museums and personal collectors. This article will first discuss the severity and magnitude of Nazi looting …


The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund: The Answer To Victim Relief?, Joe Ward Mar 2012

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund: The Answer To Victim Relief?, Joe Ward

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

The events of September 11, 2001 shook America to its core. The world was forever changed as the horrific tragedy unfolded on live television. Families were destroyed as loved ones were severely injured or killed, leaving spouses and children in need of aid. In response, the United States government established the September 11th Victims' Compensation Fund in an effort to provide the necessary reparations to victims of the terrorist attacks. This article will analyze the September 11th Victims' Compensation Fund (hereafter "Fund") as a way of compensating victims while preserving the financial stability of the United States economy. This Fund …


Preparations For A Storm: A Proposal For Managing The Litigation Stemming From September 11th, 2001 , A. David E. Balahadia Mar 2012

Preparations For A Storm: A Proposal For Managing The Litigation Stemming From September 11th, 2001 , A. David E. Balahadia

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

After the attacks, the United States government immediately began to address the exorbitant number of problems and issues that resulted. One of the first issues the government addressed was victim compensation. The creation of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund by virtue of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act was the first step towards victim compensation. The VCF would help relatives and families of those killed in the attacks. However, the VCF has several limitations that narrow the scope of those eligible for compensation. The limitations of the VCF are indirectly creating a new two-pronged problem: the first …


Forgive And Forget: Recognition Of Error And Use Of Apology As Preemptive Steps To Adr Or Litigation In Medical Malpractice Cases , Ashley A. Davenport Mar 2012

Forgive And Forget: Recognition Of Error And Use Of Apology As Preemptive Steps To Adr Or Litigation In Medical Malpractice Cases , Ashley A. Davenport

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

Medical malpractice cases are a special breed within the field of tort jurisprudence as mistakes in the medical field are regrettably inevitable. Medical universities use some of the greatest hospitals in this country as interactive classrooms to teach future physicians. A vast number of people are treated in hospitals throughout the United States every day, and of those treated, a number are neglected under the confines of the law. The American public expects infallible care from our health care system and any deviation from perfection may result in legal action. Those wronged seek litigation primarily as a means to punish …


Mediation In The Health Care System: Creative Problem Solving , Sheea Sybblis Mar 2012

Mediation In The Health Care System: Creative Problem Solving , Sheea Sybblis

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

Part I of this paper provides a comparison of the use of litigation and mediation in the health care context. Part II explores how mediation can be used to improve many of the often criticized aspects of adjudication systems and alleviate tension between parties in health care disputes. Part III provides an evaluation of current mediation programs and studies in health care, as well as the expanding role of mediators. Part IV incorporates assessments of the potential success of mediation to resolve health care disputes in the future and provides suggestions to strengthen the process.


Brushing Off Lawsuits: Dental Peer Review Examined , Lisa C. Markarian Mar 2012

Brushing Off Lawsuits: Dental Peer Review Examined , Lisa C. Markarian

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

For all contractual and legal intents and purposes, a dentist is a provider of services, while the patient who consents to treatment is a consumer. A dentist's fees reflect, in part, the cost of malpractice insurance protection. Dentists can also calculate into their fees any refunds they may pay back to patients who suffer adverse results.8 An injured patient on the other hand has limited means of protection against damages resulting from the wrongful acts of dentists. The options open to patients include: (1) filing a complaint in civil court, (2) reporting the incident to a government agency such as …


How To Take Control Of The Runaway Litigation Train , Jeremy Fogel Mar 2012

How To Take Control Of The Runaway Litigation Train , Jeremy Fogel

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

My subject today is how informed and appropriate use of alternative dispute resolution can benefit the parties in a business dispute, both by reducing costs and by producing qualitatively better results. As I will explain, although my colleagues on the bench and I do not mind presiding over your cases, litigating a commercial case rarely is the best means of advancing the interests of the companies involved.


Immunizing Arbitrators From Claims For Equitable Relief, Michael D. Moberly Mar 2012

Immunizing Arbitrators From Claims For Equitable Relief, Michael D. Moberly

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

The article begins with a summary of the historical origins of the judicial and arbitral immunity doctrines. Next, the article discusses the courts' refusal to extend judicial immunity to claims for declaratory, injunctive, or other equitable relief, except perhaps in the case of federal judges. The article then explores the propriety of recognizing a similar limitation in cases construing the arbitral immunity doctrine. The article ultimately concludes that (1) arbitrators should be immune from claims for equitable relief as a matter of policy, and (2) in jurisdictions where that result is currently precluded by existing precedent, a comparable result can …


Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels And The Webcasting Controversy: The Antithesis Of Good Alternative Dispute Resolution, Jeremy Delibero Mar 2012

Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels And The Webcasting Controversy: The Antithesis Of Good Alternative Dispute Resolution, Jeremy Delibero

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

Music is becoming increasingly synonymous with big business and corporate influence. The advent of Internet radio and streaming webcasts are simply one example of this shift. Organizations such as the Radio Industry Association of America ("RIAA") have discovered a new way to receive royalties from the performance of musical works, and have fought vigorously to obtain favorable rates to achieve the maximum profit. On the other hand, small webcasters have fought equally hard to avoid these large rates. Although arguments for each side are equally persuasive, neither is persuasive enough to force a compromise. In attempting to solve these disputes, …


Illusory Ethics: Legal Barriers To An Ombudsman's Compliance With Accepted Ethical Standards, Scott C. Van Soye Feb 2012

Illusory Ethics: Legal Barriers To An Ombudsman's Compliance With Accepted Ethical Standards, Scott C. Van Soye

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

There are five general types of ombudsmen: classical, executive, corporate, educational, and newspaper. The first two types are appointed by governmental entities, while the last three are associated with private organizations. The American Bar Association has identified a sixth type of ombudsman, the advocate, whose responsibility it is to protect a vulnerable population, such as children or residents of long-term care facilities. But because the advocate ombudsman is appointed by the government, he or she is either a legislative or an executive ombudsman, and there is no reason to create a separate category. As the ombudsman concept has spread, professional …


Common Issues In International Sports Arbitration, Jeffrey Benz Feb 2012

Common Issues In International Sports Arbitration, Jeffrey Benz

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

Jeffrey Benz discusses his experience as a Court of Arbtration for Sport (CAS) Arbitrator and former US Olympic Committee General Counsel.


Ten Essential Elements Of An Effective Dispute Resolution Program , Stephen F. Gates Feb 2012

Ten Essential Elements Of An Effective Dispute Resolution Program , Stephen F. Gates

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

For an organization with a significant number of outstanding lawsuits and pre-litigation claims, it is important to have a comprehensive and disciplined program of managing disputes to produce optimal outcomes with consistency, effectiveness and cost efficiency. Based on my experience at large, complex industrial companies with well over 2,000 litigation matters outstanding at any time, the effective management of the dispute portfolio requires that each matter be managed effectively and that more matters be resolved each year than the number of new matters that arise. The focus of this article is corporate law departments, but the concepts are applicable to …


Why We Still Litigate, Phillip M. Armstrong Feb 2012

Why We Still Litigate, Phillip M. Armstrong

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

The benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR"), particularly mediation, are well documented and often touted. Some of these benefits are: cost savings, confidentiality, preservation of business relationships, finality, better outcomes, and more control. The list goes on, and rightfully so. The Comell/PERC study and the more recent BTI study, among others, have made it clear that corporate America has embraced ADR, particularly mediation, as a preferred means of resolving many disputes. As a long-time member of an in-house law department, I have watched our own management of commercial litigation and claims evolve from a typical "winner takes all" approach to …


Economical Litigation Agreements: The "Civil Litigation Prenup" Need, Basis, And Enforceability , Daniel B. Winslow, Alexandra Bedell-Healy Feb 2012

Economical Litigation Agreements: The "Civil Litigation Prenup" Need, Basis, And Enforceability , Daniel B. Winslow, Alexandra Bedell-Healy

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

This article identifies the basis and limits of the parties' abilities to define and enforce discovery in an ex ante contract. Despite the deficiencies of litigation, the free, public dispute resolution forum of the civil justice system provides significant value in commercial disputes. That value can be used to maximum mutual advantage only if parties replace the infinite discovery permitted in conventional litigation with the finite discovery contracted in Economical Litigation Agreement (ELA) litigation. This article will help parties to understand the benefit and enforceability of the ELA.


Getting To Yes In Specialized Courts: The Unique Role Of Adr In Business Court Cases, Bejamin F. Tennille, Lee Applebaum, Anne Tucker Nees Feb 2012

Getting To Yes In Specialized Courts: The Unique Role Of Adr In Business Court Cases, Bejamin F. Tennille, Lee Applebaum, Anne Tucker Nees

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

The assumed compatibility between ADR and specialized courts is largely unexamined. Without being able to statistically validate the motivations and preferences of individual disputants in a manner to draw generalized conclusions, this article examines the relationship between ADR and specialized business courts by looking at how the two are structurally intertwined through existing procedural rules and implementation practices. Part I of this article describes the foundational structures and concepts behind both ADR and specialized business courts, as well as the similarities and differences between them. Part II explores the existing formal structural relationship between ADR and specialized courts by examining …


For Heaven's Sake, Give The Child A Voice: An Adr Approach To Interfaith Child Custody Disputes , Charlee Lane Feb 2012

For Heaven's Sake, Give The Child A Voice: An Adr Approach To Interfaith Child Custody Disputes , Charlee Lane

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

There has been ample study devoted to the problems that arise when courts are faced with custody disputes intertwined with issues of religion. Unfortunately, many of those studies conclude without proposing an effective solution or by suggesting an alternative without defining what that alternative might be. A solution must be employed that allows religious consideration in a forum more suitable to facilitating a resolution in the complete best interest of the child and parents. Mediation provides this forum by facilitating a negotiation in which parents are allowed to develop their own collaborative solutions to interfaith child custody disputes. Through techniques …