§ 25-2902.Legislative findings.
Article 29: Dispute Resolution Act and Uniform Mediation Act · Last amended 2019 · Last verified July 22, 2026
Full Text of § 25-2902
Source
Laws 1991, LB 90, § 2; Laws 2019, LB595, § 2.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-2902 is the Legislature’s statement of purpose, not a rule that creates duties. It records eleven findings behind the Dispute Resolution Act, and reading them together shows what problem the act tries to solve: formal court proceedings cost money and take time, and many disputes — consumer complaints, neighbor conflicts, juvenile misconduct — do not need a judge to reach a fair resolution.
The findings draw a line between two related but distinct tools. Mediation gives parties a private, informal forum to negotiate their own settlement with a neutral third party. Restorative justice does something more specific: it brings a victim and the person who caused harm together so the victim can describe the impact, the responsible person can take ownership of it, and both can agree on how to repair the damage. The Legislature ties both tools to the same benefits — fewer cases burdening the courts, less acrimony between people in conflict, and research showing that participants in restorative justice programs are less likely to reoffend.
None of this section imposes a requirement on any person or agency. Its value is interpretive: when a later section of the act leaves room for judgment, these findings show what the Legislature was trying to accomplish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does § 25-2902 require anyone to do anything?
No. It is a statement of legislative findings and purpose, not an operative rule imposing duties on any person or agency.
What problems is the Dispute Resolution Act meant to solve?
The findings point to the cost and delay of formal litigation, the burden unresolved disputes place on courts, and the risk that minor conflicts escalate into larger social problems without an early, informal way to address them.
How do the findings distinguish mediation from restorative justice?
Mediation is described as a private, informal way for parties to negotiate their own resolution with a neutral third party. Restorative justice is described as a way to repair harm from an offense by involving the victim and the person responsible in a structured, less adversarial process.
Does the Legislature cite evidence for restorative justice reducing reoffending?
Yes. Finding (5) states that restorative justice practices and programs are grounded in research showing that participants are less likely to reoffend.
Who benefits from dispute resolution and restorative justice under these findings?
The findings point to several groups: people who lack the resources for formal litigation, victims seeking repair rather than a verdict, and courts that gain capacity to focus on disputes only litigation can resolve.
Can these findings be used to interpret a later section of the act?
Yes. Because they state legislative purpose, they can inform how a court or agency reads a later provision of the Dispute Resolution Act when its meaning is unclear.