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Alternative Dispute Resolution 
   Early Settlement Mediation

The Alternative Dispute Resolution System in Oklahoma is currently made up of twelve community-based mediation centers (Early Settlement) and eleven programs developed by state agencies. This system which was authorized (1983) and funded (1985) by the state legislature through the Oklahoma Dispute Resolution Act, 12 O.S. Supp. 1997, ยง 1801 et seq., is administered and supervised by the Administrative Director of the Courts (ADC) through his designee, the ADR System Director, with the ongoing input of the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board.

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How Mediation Works

In Mediation a neutral, third party helps those in conflict define issues, explore solutions and reach practical, workable and mutually satisfactory agreements. Mediation seeks to prevent confliscts from escalating, saving everyone involved the time and expense of going to court.

Mediation is a process which can help ALL parties involved:

Get past their anger, frustration, guilt or "desire to punish"
Clarify their underlying, bottom-line goals
See their "opponent's" feelings, viewpoints and goals
Cooperatively build a lasting, WIN/WIN voluntary solution
Create an atmosphere of on-going cooperation and efficiency

All mediations are handled promptly and confidentially.

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