Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A minitrial is a way to solve a disagreement between two sides without going to court. Each side has a lawyer who presents their case like they would in a real trial. The minitrial is private and only attended by people who have the power to make a decision. Sometimes, a neutral person acts as a judge or jury to help make the decision.
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.