Payne Hackenbracht & Sullivan

Mini-Trial

The basic steps in conducting a mini-trial are:

1) Determine whether a mini-trial is appropriate for a particular dispute.

2) Obtain any needed Corps management commitments.

3) Approach the other parties to get their agreement to participate.

4) Select management representatives for each organization.

5) Select a neutral advisor.

6) Develop a mini-trial agreement.

7) Complete "discovery," as defined in the mini-trial agreement.

8) Exchange position papers.

9) Hold a preliminary meeting between the neutral advisor and the management representatives.

10) Conduct the mini-trial conference.

11) Conduct negotiations following the conference.

12) Document any agreements reached.