(a) A court may, on its own motion or the motion of a party, refer a pending dispute for resolution by an alternative dispute resolution procedure including:
- (1) an alternative dispute resolution system established under Chapter 26, Acts of the 68th Legislature, Regular Session, 1983 (Article 2372aa, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes);
- (2) a dispute resolution organization; or
- (3) a nonjudicial and informally conducted forum for the voluntary settlement of citizens' disputes through the intervention of an impartial third party, including those alternative dispute resolution procedures described under this subchapter.
- (b) The court shall confer with the parties in the determination of the most appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedure.
- (c) Except as provided by agreement of the parties, a court may not order mediation in an action that is subject to the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16).
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1121, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 1987.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 621 (H.B. 1083), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.