5-509. Same; cases accepted.
5-509
5-509. Same; cases accepted.
(a) Upon finding that alternatives to
litigation
may provide a more appropriate
means to resolve the issues in a case and that the costs of the dispute
resolution process are
justified relative to the parties' ability to pay such costs, a judge may order
the parties to
the case to participate in a settlement conference or a non-binding
dispute resolution process conducted by:
(1) A program or individual approved pursuant to rules of the supreme court
adopted pursuant to the dispute resolution act; or (2) an individual licensed
to practice law in the state of Kansas.
(b) If a court refers a
case, information
shall be provided to the court
as to whether an agreement was reached and, if available, a copy of the
signed agreement shall be provided to the court.
(c) Before the dispute resolution process begins,
the neutral person conducting the process shall
provide the parties with a written statement setting forth the procedures to be
followed.
History: L. 1994, ch. 217, § 9;
L. 1996, ch. 140, § 9;
L. 2000, ch. 171, § 1;
L. 2001, ch. 173, § 2; July 1.