Office of Court ADR

What is the Office of Court Alternative Dispute Resolution?

The Office of Court Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the headquarters for the statewide ADR program in Maine's state courts. It is part of the Maine Administrative Office of the Courts. It includes the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service (CADRES).

ADR is available in every court and in every county in Maine. The Office of Court ADR oversees and maintains seven statewide ADR rosters of individuals who are eligible to provide ADR services to parties in court cases.

The statewide ADR rosters are:

Small Claims Mediation Roster
Domestic Relations Mediation Roster
Land Use/Environmental/Natural Gas Pipeline Mediation Roster
General Civil Litigation Mediation Roster
Superior Court Mediation Roster
Superior Court Arbitration Roster
Superior Court Early Neutral Evaluation Roster

The Office of Court ADR receives applications from neutrals who wish to be added to the rosters and offers orientation to neutrals who are selected, as well as continuing education training programs for those who are on the court rosters.

The Office of Court ADR supervises neutrals on the court rosters and investigates complaints about their performance as mediators, arbitrators or evaluators. If you have a complaint, please contact Diane E. Kenty, Director at 822-0719 or diane.kenty@maine.gov or with our complaint form (PDF)

After a mediation in a Family Matters or Small Claims case, the mediator will provide all parties with a copy of the "Exit Questionnaire" to fill out about the mediation session. You can mail it in the envelope provided or put it in the envelope, seal it and give it to the mediator. exit form

Oversight is provided by the CADRES Committee, which is established by law in 4 M.R.S.A. 18-B. The CADRES Committee, which is composed of judges, court administrators and mediators, decides policy and monitors the use of ADR in the Maine state courts.

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