Section 16 - Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission(a) The ADRC members shall be appointed by the Supreme Court to three-year terms. No member who has served two successive three-year terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the ADRC until three years after the termination of the most recent term. The Court shall appoint one of the ADRC's members as the Chair for a two-year term. The ADRC shall have the responsibility for: (1) Reviewing and revising, if appropriate, the standards for listing Rule 31 Mediators;(2) Determining the procedure for listing Rule 31 Mediators;(3) Preparing and disseminating appropriate publications containing details regarding Rule 31 Mediations;(4) Reviewing and revising, as and when appropriate, the standards of professional conduct that shall be required of Rule 31 Mediators;(5) Reviewing the content of training programs to determine whether they meet the standards for qualification under Rule 31;(6) Assuring that all listed Rule 31 Mediators have participated in approved training, have complied with qualification requirements, and have certified their agreement to follow the guidelines and applicable standards and their understanding of the sanctions for failure to comply;(7) Reviewing and, where appropriate, approving applications for listing of Rule 31 Mediators;(8) Evaluating the success of Rule 31 Mediations based on participant satisfaction, quality of results, and effect on case management;(9) Evaluating and reviewing each listed Rule 31 Mediator for continued compliance with the established standards and requirements for continued listing;(10) Suggesting to the Supreme Court rules and amendments of rules regarding alternative dispute resolution proceedings;(11) Setting and collecting appropriate training, listing, and renewal fees; and(12) Taking such other steps as may be reasonably necessary to establish, maintain and improve the alternative dispute resolution program in Tennessee.(b) The Commission may create advisory committees to study specific issues identified by the Commission and to make such recommendations to the Commission as the members of the advisory committees deem appropriate. The Commission may invite non-Commission members, including representatives from other branches of government, lawyers, mediators, and members of the public, to attend meetings and to participate as members of advisory committees to help further the work of the Commission.
(c) The day-to-day work of the ADRC shall be conducted by the Programs Manager of the Administrative Office of the Courts who shall be responsible for: (1) Processing applications for inclusion on thelist of Rule 31 Mediators in accordance with procedures recommended by the ADRC and approved by the Supreme Court;(2) Processing annual renewal forms from Rule 31 Mediators and approving their continued qualification for Rule 31 listing;(3) Taking such steps as may be necessary to provide thelist of Rule 31 Mediators to the appropriate clerks of court and to maintain a current list of Rule 31 Mediators on the AOC website.(4) Coordinating, approving, or providing training to Rule 31 Mediators;(5) Processing grievances against Rule 31 Mediators;(6) Coordinating the work of and assisting the ADRC;(7) Assisting in the evaluation of alternative dispute resolution programs; and(8) Taking such other steps in conjunction with the Supreme Court and the ADRC as may be reasonably necessary to establish, maintain and improve the alternative dispute resolution program in Tennessee.