MINNESOTA COURT RULES

APPELLATE PROCEDURE

Special Rules of Practice for the Minnesota Court of Appeals Governing Family Law Appellate Mediation

Rule 6.Screening Process

(a) The Family Law Appellate Mediation Office screens new family law appeals to determine their suitability for mediation.

(b) If the initial screening shows mediation suitability, the Court of Appeals shall issue an order staying processing of the appeal and directing the parties to file a confidential mediator selection form and confidential information form.

(c) A party may request an exemption from mediation by including in the confidential information form, the request and the reason(s) for the request. This request may be granted at the discretion of the Family Law Appellate Mediation Office. If the request is granted, the parties shall be notified in writing no later than ten (10) days after the Family Law Appellate Mediation Office receives the confidential information form from all parties. When the public agency responsible for child support enforcement is a party or is providing services to a party with respect to the action, the public agency may opt out of the mediation and will thereafter be bound by any mediated decision and order.

(d) When multiple appeals involving the same parties are filed, all pending issues on appeal shall be consolidated into a single mediation process.

(Effective January 1, 2011.)