Public Sector Dispute Resolution in Local Governments: Lessons from the SCAG Project

56 Pages Posted: 17 Sep 2010

See all articles by Gregory L. Ogden

Gregory L. Ogden

Pepperdine University - Rick J. Caruso School of Law

Peter Rufo Robinson

Pepperdine University - Rick J. Caruso School of Law

Alana C. Knaster

Independent

Date Written: 2001

Abstract

This article seeks to share lessons from an ongoing six-year project to overcome the barriers to the use of facilitation and mediation (ADR) processes for addressing regional and interjurisdictional planning disputes throughout Southern California. The participants in this effort originally assumed that the successful use of mediation in high profile disputes would lead to greater acceptance of ADR processes by governmental officials. After several failed attempts, project leaders concluded that it would be appropriate to refocus the original methodology and strategy for promoting the use of ADR. The new strategy focuses on the establishment of mediation services for community-based disputes referred to city government. Despite the participation of experienced experts in the field of public policy mediation and an extensive expenditure of time and resources, the anticipated results have not been achieved to date. Nevertheless, participants have learned important lessons regarding approaches that are more effective in increasing city officials' reliance on ADR processes.

Keywords: dispute resolution, local government

JEL Classification: K39

Suggested Citation

Ogden, Gregory L. and Robinson, Peter Rufo and Knaster, Alana C., Public Sector Dispute Resolution in Local Governments: Lessons from the SCAG Project (2001). Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 171, 2001, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1678191

Gregory L. Ogden (Contact Author)

Pepperdine University - Rick J. Caruso School of Law ( email )

24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
United States

Peter Rufo Robinson

Pepperdine University - Rick J. Caruso School of Law ( email )

24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
United States

Alana C. Knaster

Independent

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