Senior Judge David Barker in the lobby of new office and mediation space.

The senior judge program that is administered by the Supreme Court of Nevada, has always been an important resource for the court. The program calls upon retired judges who bring knowledge and experience to handle cases that a District Court judge is unavailable to handle.

In the wake of the pandemic, District Court has been running on all cylinders to address the backlog of cases that developed. Senior judges have helped to knock down that backlog. Taking on the glut of cases squeezed the capacity of the already tight space availability of the Regional Justice Center. The senior judges frequently struggled to get appropriate space to mediate disputes. But, after three years in the making, some much anticipated relief has opened up. A new office and mediation space has opened its doors in the Phoenix building that can handle as many as three concurrent dual settlement conferences or negotiation rooms for multiple parties. The space is a result of cooperation and coordination between the Supreme Court of Nevada, the Eighth Judicial District Court and Clark County.

The new area gives senior judges a place to prepare their calendars and conduct effective mediation, with areas for the various parties to prepare and negotiate in private. “In order for senior judges to assist in the settlement of cases, it requires a unique space; and that is what we’ve designed. Anything we can do to make the mediation process more efficient and effective helps to take stress of the court and saves the litigants time and money,” said Senior Judge David Barker.

On Jan. 23, the center was ready to open the doors. Senior Judge Barker showed off two adjoined conference room areas that enable parties to work effectively. “The Nevada Supreme Court helped to ensure that the proper technology is available including BlueJeans and JAVS.  If a case is settled, it can put it on the official record of the court immediately.”

“Opening this new mediation space give the Senior Judge Program a good place to accomplish work effectively without having to search for a space,” said District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. “It’s another way we can add to efficiency and improve the potential for resolving cases expeditiously.”