Courts

Appropriateness

• jurisdiction

• other or better ways to resolve the dispute

jurisdiction

Both County and Supreme have unlimited jurisdiction. Magistrates jurisdictional limit is $100,000. If a plaintiff is seeking more, they must issue a claim with a higher court, or lower the amount.

Other/better ways to resolve a dispute

• whether mediation could be used

• cost

• preparedness to accept uncertainties of a third party making decisions

• affording legal representation

• comfort with formalities

• whether it is a class action

Strengths

• pretrial procedures allow the parties to reach an out of court settlement

• discovery can help narrow issues in dispute

• use of processes to ensure procedural fairness

• binding decision

Weaknesses

• Delays are frequent, and pretrial procedures take a long time

• costs

• complex without legal representation

• courtrooms can be formal and stressful for some