States try arbitration for civil disputes.(National Report)

Faced with fiscal crisis, states are cutting court services and choosing arbitration for civil disputes, according to the National Arbitration Forum, which provides neutral administrative support alternative dispute resolution.

With tax shortfalls forcing states to reduce court budgets, an increasing number is mandating that civil cases be sent to arbitration. Earlier this year, Utah passed a law encouraging health care providers to bypass the lawsuit system and use arbitration in legal disputes with patients. Ohio passed a law allowing medical and dental claims to he