APPELLATE MEDIATION PROGRAM
 

     The Appellate Mediation Program is an initiative of the Supreme Court bench and is administered by the Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

     Mediation and other innovative methods of alternative dispute resolution are a way to encourage litigants to resolve disputes without the expense and time of trials.  Mediation is different from arbitration in that the mediators do not render decisions.  Participants craft a resolution with the aid and assistance of a mediator guiding the process, allowing for more creativity and flexibility than the normal appellate process.  

     Most civil cases that have been directly appealed from final judgment are eligible for mediation through the program.  There are presently eleven retired judges who serve as mediators at no cost to the state:  

Chief Justice Joseph R. Weisberger (Ret.)
Chief Justice Frank J. Williams (Ret.)

Associate Judge Robert K. Pirraglia (Ret.)

Associate Justice Richard J. Israel (Ret.)

Associate Judge Carmine A. Rao (Ret.)

Associate Justice Peter Palombo, Jr. (Ret.)

Associate Justice Vincent A. Ragosta (Ret.)

Associate Justice Pamela M. Macktaz (Ret.)

Associate Judge Walter Gorman (Ret.)

Associate Judge John M. McLoughlin (Ret.)  

Magistrate Joseph A. Keough (Ret.)

     Mediations are presently conducted at the Licht Judicial Complex, Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, and Kent County Courthouse.  If you have questions about the program, please contact the program at (401) 222-8661 or via email at amp@courts.ri.gov.

Information Brochure

Mediation Eligibility Form and Confidential Mediation Statement
  (Please note: These forms can be filled out online and printed)

Proposed Order for Provisional Rule A- Extension of time for submitting Record to Supreme Court (June 9, 2009)

Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure - Provisional Rule A as amended (July 26, 2004)

Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure - In re Amendment to Provisional Rule A, Mediation Session Procedures (Sanctions) (October 27, 2005)

Mediation Tip sheet for Counsel

Mediation Tip sheet for Client