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Using Mediation in Workers' Compensation Appeals

Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution. A mediator (neutral third party) helps the litigants resolve their dispute in an informal process. The mediator facilitates negotiations and helps the litigants identify issues, problem solve, and explore settlement possibilities. The mediator has no authority to make a decision about the case. Mediation is increasingly being used to resolve appeals in workers' compensation cases.

Quo Warranto

A writ in quo warranto, which is Latin for "by what warrant," is an extraordinary legal remedy. It requires a person to show his/her authority for holding an office or challenges the wrongful exercise of powers. A common quo warranto claim is that a government or corporate officer was not validly elected to office or is exercising powers in excess of his/her authority. A state might bring a suit in quo warranto demanding a person or corporation to show the authority for exercising some franchise or privilege granted to it by the state.

Family Abuse Protective Orders

Protective orders are orders issued by a judge to protect a victim of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, or intimidation. A protective order can only be used against someone related to the victim or with whom the victim has had an intimate relationship. This would include a spouse, sibling, parent, or boyfriend/girlfriend.

Juvenile Courts

A juvenile court is a specialized civil court dealing with children who are under the age of 18 who are abused, neglected, dependent, delinquent, and status offenders. Some juvenile courts also have the power to require treatment for mentally ill or developmentally disabled children. The goal of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate the juvenile. The juvenile court makes use of social service programs. There are important differences between juvenile courts and other civil courts. Juvenile hearings are usually closed to the public so that the juvenile's privacy is protected. A juvenile has no right to request a trial by jury. Juveniles cannot post bail in order to be released from detention. The probation officers involved in the juvenile justice system are court employees. They conduct evaluations and prepare reports to aid the juvenile judges in deciding a case. They also supervise juveniles who are placed on probation and report on the progress of juveniles on probation.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

In December 2003, President Bush signed the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (Act), a law to reduce the economic and legal burdens of military personnel. The Act updates prior laws and gives servicemembers on active duty added protections. The Act also applies to reservists who have been called up for active duty. This article covers some of the most important provisions in the Act.