MacElree Harvey, is pleased to announce that Attorney Christopher J. Curtin has completed the training required by the Delaware Superior Court to serve as a Settlement Mediator. Chris practices in the firm's Centreville, DE office and is now included in the list of trained mediators posted on the Superior Court website.

Mediation is taking a much larger role in the courts of Delaware than ever before. Previously, most cases were required by the Superior Court and the Court of Common Pleas to go through non-binding arbitration soon after a lawsuit was filed. As a result of the rule change, the Court now orders all cases to "Alternative Dispute Resolution," and requires the parties to select the timing and the process. The parties can still select from: Binding or Non-binding Arbitration, Neutral Assessment, or Mediation. However, if the parties do not agree upon an alternative dispute resolution process, they will be ordered to mediation, which must be conducted by a specified date. The new rules allow the court to impose to impose penalties upon a party who does not mediate in good faith.

In addition to Mediation, Chris concentrates his practice of law on general litigation, consumer protection (including Lemon Law cases) and personal injury. Curtin joins MacElree Harvey colleagues Felice Kerr, Mary Ann Plankinton, John McKenna, Harry DiDonato and Mary Ann Rossi as certified mediators.