Mediation Day

WHEREAS, Alabama recognizes the great need to promote mediation as a means for litigants to resolve their cases by agreement rather than requiring the court’s resources for a resolution; and

WHEREAS, because of the current economic and budget climate, the use of mediation as an effective way to resolve disputes in the court system will continue to expand; and

WHEREAS, alternative dispute resolution procedures are being implemented in the Alabama court system to further the goal of  increasing the number of Alabama litigants reaching tailored resolutions to disputes in an expedient manner; and

WHEREAS, community-based mediation programs are developing in Alabama to fairly and equitably resolve neighborhood and community conflicts, thus strengthening community relationships; and

WHEREAS, mediation is increasingly used by corporations and businesses, and especially in the workplace by managers and supervisors who have embraced the power and efficiency of open communication and collaborative problem-solving; and

WHEREAS, mediation programs have been promoted in government agencies and educational facilities throughout the State of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the American Bar Association has declared the week of October 16-22, 2011 mediation week; and

WHEREAS, October 21, 2011, is a day of appellate mediation training for the successful settlement of cases before the Supreme Court of Alabama and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 21, 2011, as

Mediation Day

in the State of the Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 23rd day of September 2011.

                                                                                 Governor Robert Bentley