|
|
Justice Maureen O'Connor of the Supreme Court of Ohio provided the keynote address Wednesday at a seminar for court clerks hosted by the 3rd District Court of Appeals.
Her speech, which was given at Findlay Inn and Convention Center in Findlay, Ohio, focused on the effectiveness of mediation as a means to resolve disputes, as well as an initiative by the Supreme Court to connect courts of Ohio electronically through the Ohio Courts Network.
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a mediator leads the litigating parties through a process that seeks to resolve their case with a mutually acceptable solution. The Supreme Court's mediation program began as a pilot program in 1997 and has proven to be very successful, taking on cases originating in the courts of appeals, appeals from administrative agencies, original actions, and non-felony cases the Court deems appropriate. The Court also has a Dispute Resolution Section that fosters and supports local court mediation programs.
“The Supreme Court recognizes the distinct and effective role that mediation has in the resolution of cases in a confidential environment,” Justice O'Connor said.
Justice O'Connor also highlighted the Supreme Court's efforts to improve the sharing of critical information among courts and with the public through the creation of the Ohio Courts Network. The Court currently is considering proposals from vendors to build the network.
“A recent survey of courts throughout the state showed that nearly all of the state's courts have Internet access and increasingly are using technology to improve communications and aid in the administration of justice,” Justice O'Connor said, referring to the Technology and the Courts 2006 Survey, a recently released biennial review of progress in implementing technology in the justice system. “The Supreme Court is helping to lead this trend. Currently visitors to the Supreme Court's Web site can watch streaming live video of cases being argued before the Court. Case information and court opinions are easily accessible on the Internet the moment they are released by the Court.”
The 3rd District Court of Appeals serves Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Logan, Marion, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert and Wyandot counties. It hears cases from county, municipal and common pleas courts as well as original actions in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, procedendo and quo warranto. Serving the court are Judges Stephen R. Shaw, Thomas F. Bryant, Robert R. Cupp, and Richard M. Rogers.
Justice O'Connor was elected in 2002 as the 148th Justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio and the seventh woman to serve on the Court. She has experience as a practicing attorney, magistrate, common pleas judge, and prosecuting attorney. In 1998, she was elected as lieutenant governor and was the governor's chief advisor on criminal justice issues, serving as director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and as chair of Ohio's Security Task Force and the State Building Security Review Committee.
For a high-resolution, publication-quality photo of Justice Maureen O'Connor, click on the image above or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/images/justices/oconnor_highres.zip.
Contact: Andrea M. Strle, 614.387.9250.