Any of the following methods, or a combination of these methods, or
any assisted negotiation process agreed to by the parties, may be used in
seeking resolution of disputes or other controversy arising under Texas Government
Code, Chapter 2260. If the parties agree to use an assisted negotiation procedure,
they should agree in writing to a detailed description of the process prior
to engaging in the process.
(1) Mediation. (See Division 3 in this subchapter (relating
to Mediation of Contract Disputes)).
(2) Early evaluation by a third-party neutral.
(A) This is a confidential conference where the parties and
their counsel present the factual and legal bases of their claim and receive
a non-binding assessment by an experienced neutral with subject-matter expertise
or with significant experience in the substantive area of law involved in
the dispute.
(B) After summary presentations, the third-party neutral identifies
areas of agreement for possible stipulations, assesses the strengths and weaknesses
of each party's position, and estimates, if possible, the likelihood of liability
and the dollar range of damages that appear reasonable to him or her.
(C) This is a less complicated procedure than the mini-trial,
described in paragraph (4) of this section. It may be appropriate for only
some issues in dispute, for example, where there are clear-cut differences
over the appropriate amount of damages. This process may be particularly helpful
when:
(i) The parties agree that the dispute can be settled;
(ii) The dispute involves specific legal issues;
(iii) The parties disagree on the amount of damages;
(iv) The opposition has an unrealistic view of the dispute;
and
(v) The neutral is a recognized expert in the subject area
or area of law involved.
(3) Neutral fact-finding by an expert.
(A) In this process, a neutral third-party expert studies a
particular issue and reports findings on that issue. The process usually occurs
after most discovery in the dispute has been completed and the significance
of particular technical or scientific issues is apparent.
(B) The parties may agree in writing that the fact-finding
will be binding on them in later proceedings (and entered into as a stipulation
in the dispute if the matter proceeds to contested case hearing), or that
it will be advisory in nature, to be used only in further settlement discussions
between representatives of the parties. This process may be particularly helpful
when:
(i) Factual issues requiring expert testimony may be dispositive
of liability or damage issues;
(ii) The use of a neutral is cost effective;
(iii) The neutral's findings could narrow factual issues for
contested case hearing.
(4) Mini-trial.
(A) A mini-trial is generally a summary proceeding before a
representative of upper management from each party, with authority to settle,
and a third- party neutral selected by agreement of the parties. A mini-trial
is usually divided into three phases: a limited information exchange phase,
the actual hearing, and post-hearing settlement discussions. No written or
oral statement made in the proceeding may be used as evidence or an admission
in any other proceeding.
(B) The information exchange stage should be brief but it must
be sufficient for each party to understand and appreciate the key issues involved
in the case. At a minimum, parties should exchange key exhibits, introductory
statements, and a summary of witness's testimony.
(C) At the hearing, representatives of the parties present
a summary of the anticipated evidence and any legal issues that must be decided
before the case can be resolved. The third-party neutral presides over the
presentation and may question witnesses and counsel, as well as comment on
the arguments and evidence. Each party may agree to put on abbreviated direct
and cross-examination testimony. The hearing generally takes no longer than
one - two days.
(D) Settlement discussions, facilitated by the third-party
neutral, take place after the hearing. The parties may ask the neutral to
formally evaluate the evidence and arguments and give an advisory opinion
as to the issues in the case. If the parties cannot reach an agreed resolution
to the dispute, either side may declare the mini-trial terminated and proceed
to resolve the dispute by other means.
(E) Mini-trials may be appropriate when:
(i) The dispute is at a stage where substantial costs can be
saved by a resolution based on limited information gathering;
(ii) The matter justifies the senior executive time required
to complete the process;
(iii) The issues involved include highly technical mixed questions
of law and fact;
(iv) The matter involves trade secrets or other confidential
or proprietary information; or
(v) The parties seek to narrow the large number of issues in
dispute.
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