Public Notice Detail

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (April 10, 2001) – Hennepin County District Court will honor arbitrators and referees in a ceremony on Thursday for their efforts in helping to meet increasing demands on the court system.

Referees and arbitrators are licensed attorneys who assist the courts in settling civil cases.  In Hennepin County, referees help settle family matters and can issue orders or sanction litigants as necessary.  Arbitrators hear general civil cases that have been referred to them by the bench.  Arbitrators are empowered by the bench to issue binding or non-binding decisions.

In 2000, about 55 percent of the more than 1,100 family cases filed in Hennepin County were settled by or with the help of referees.  That same year, there were 18,041 new cases filed in conciliation court, with the majority of those cases being disposed of by the referees.

Arbitrators resolved about 63 percent of the county’s low-level civil cases, of which there were more than 1,200 filed in 2000.

“Hennepin County’s arbitrators and referees do an outstanding job in handling family settlement conferences and other civil cases,” said Hennepin County Chief Judge Kevin Burke.  “Their work enables the Hennepin County bench to allocate more judicial time to our increasing caseloads.”

Judge Burke and Judge Gary Larson, the presiding Civil Court Judge in Hennepin County, will speak during the April 12 recognition breakfast.  A list of the referees and arbitrators being honored is attached and listed according to city.

What:  Recognition breakfast for Hennepin County District Court

referees and arbitrators.

When:  April 12, 2001.

Where:  Hennepin County Government Center.