Legal Definitions - Minitrial

Minitrial

Minitrial is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method where each side's attorneys present their case as they would in an actual trial. It is a private and voluntary event attended by representatives from each side who have the authority to settle. Neutral third parties may also act as judges or jurors.

Example 1: Two companies are in a dispute over a breach of contract. They agree to participate in a minitrial where their attorneys present their case to a neutral third party acting as a judge. The judge then provides a non-binding opinion on the case, which helps the parties reach a settlement.

Example 2: In a personal injury case, the plaintiff and defendant agree to participate in a minitrial. Each side's attorneys present their case to a panel of neutral third parties acting as jurors. The jurors then provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of each side's case, which helps the parties reach a settlement.

These examples illustrate how minitrials work in practice. They show that minitrials are a flexible ADR method that can be tailored to the needs of the parties involved. They also demonstrate how neutral third parties can play a crucial role in helping the parties reach a settlement.