Judge Orders Mediation in Lawsuit Against City

JONESBORO, Ark. – The judge has ordered mediation in the case of Rachel Anderson vs. the City of Jonesboro, the police chief, and mayor.

The latest order was filed at 8:36 AM on Tuesday morning, February 6, 2024. In it, Judge Bentley Story ordered all parties to agree upon a mediator from the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Commission within 14 days.

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If the parties can not agree on a mediator within that time frame, the court will appoint one.

From there, it is unknown how long mediation may take. However, the court ordered that within ten days of the conclusion of the mediation, the mediator and attorneys are to report back with the results. That means there either will or will not be a settlement in the case.

Ark. Code Annotated § 16-7-202 states it is the duty of the court to encourage settlement in cases and controversies. In that authority, courts may order cases to mediation. Parties have the right to move to dispense with the order for good cause shown, which is up to the judge.

The Arkansas ADR Commission’s website describes it as consisting of seven appointed members who serve six-year terms. The commission exists to provide an alternative to costly, more adversarial litigation. It also lessens the burden on the court system.

One legal source said in cases like these, mediation is standard.

See More: Order for Mediation

Prior to this order, the most recent action in the case was an order from the judge granting Anderson the right to a name-clearing hearing. With the judge stating that the plaintiff is likely to succeed on merits at trial, as well as the pending name-clearing hearing, the city must consider several new factors as leaders decide on possibly offering a settlement to Anderson.

Rachel Anderson Wins Injunction for Name-Clearing Hearing, City Plans Appeal