Business Week reported yesterday that NAF will no longer do consumer card arbitration, and if I’m reading the article correctly, will no longer do any of a range of other consumer arbitrations.  A settlement of the Minnesota Attorney General’s claim against NAF, this could shake up arbitration from a provider side, just as Congress has … Continue reading NAF Announcement — Out of Consumer Arbitration →

The Minnesota AG’s complaint is here, and the NAF’s response from its website is here. Under Minnesota’s state rules of civil procedure, which I’m pretty sure parallel the FRCP on these matters, we’ll probably have a chance to see NAF’s answer relatively soon. Michael Moffitt

The Minnesota Attorney General filed suit today against the National Arbitration Forum alleging multiple counts of consumer fraud in violation of Minnesota law.  The suit stems from an allegation that both the NAF and many of the collection firms that regularly use its services are owned, at least in part, by the same company.  Business … Continue reading Minnesota AG sues the National Arbitration Forum →

I was pleasantly surprised to read in my daughter’s sleepaway camp newsletter that the camp spends time each week teaching the girls conflict resolution skills: Tonight, the counselors are putting on the first Creative Service of the summer. Creative Service is a time to pause and reflect on the lessons learned here at camp. Tonight’s … Continue reading Teaching Conflict Resolution Skills Early →

The Restorative Justice in Adult Courts Committee of the Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition is sponsoring a symposium on Restorative Justice in Adult Criminal Courts on Friday Nov. 13, 2009, at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  During the morning plenary session experts in the field, both academics and practitioners, will present papers on restorative justice in adult courts.  The workshops in … Continue reading Restorative Justice Conference in Missouri for Missouri →

The ABA’s Dispute Resolution Section has just issued its Call for Proposals for the Section’s annual meeting next April in San Francisco.  A copy of the Call for Proposals can be seen here, and the proposal form can be accessed here.  As an fyi, priority is given to proposals that introduce new and innovative concepts, … Continue reading Call for Proposals – ABA Dispute Resolution Section Conference →

No, that’s not a typo.  And no, I am not among the persistent number who treat “arbitration” and “mediation” as coterminous.  I mean “Mediation.”  And I mean “Separability.” I was reading a recent case — Santana v. Olguin, 208 P.3d 328 (Kan.App., May 29, 2009), and it made me wonder how courts treat mediation provisions … Continue reading Mediation and the Separability Doctrine →

In contrast to the election turmoil occurring in Iran, an interesting alternative for settling an election occurred in suburban Phoenix yesterday.  The City of Cave Creek recently had an election for their city council and two candidates had a runoff election for the last council seat.  They ended up tied with 660 votes each.  How did … Continue reading Elections and Dispute Resolution – A Card Game →

Over the weekend I read a fascinating account of what life is like for international development workers in Iraq (in an email from a colleague).  I learned about the dreary living conditions, severe restrictions due to security, and the need to carry around personal protection gear.  But, I was most fascinated by the account of … Continue reading Does email contribute to conflict in Iraq? →