The Indiana Supreme Court is seeking comments from judges, attorneys and the public as it considers proposed rule amendments governing Alternative Dispute Resolution. The proposed changes include the following:

• Amending Rule 2.7 to add a section (F) that would permit a non-lawyer mediator to complete certain documents as part of the mediation process without violating the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law.
• Adding a new Rule (2.12) that would permit a mediator to provide legal information, but not legal advice to parties, without violating the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law.

Details about the specific proposed rule change can be found at courts.IN.gov/rules/proposed.

The possible rule changes are being reviewed by the nine-member Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.  The Committee has not taken a position on either of these proposals and is seeking opinions from the bench, bar, and public before making a recommendation to the Supreme Court.

The Committee was created by the Court to conduct a continuous study of the Indiana Rules of Procedure and other rules as directed by the Court.  The Committee is charged with reporting to the Court recommendations and proposed amendments to promote simplicity in procedure, just determination of litigation, and elimination of unjustified expense and delay.

The Committee is collecting public comments about the possible rule changes until June 7, 2009.  The comments can be sent via email or in writing to the following addresses:

localrulescomments@courts.state.in.us

Lilia G. Judson
Executive Director
Indiana Supreme Court
Division of State Court Administration
30 South Meridian Street, Suite 500
Indianapolis, IN 46204

More information on the Rules Committee can be found at courts.in.gov/committees/rules.html