Judge Orders Mediation: Only Winners and Losers in the Courtroom

From Oregonlive, here:

“Forest Grove’s attempt to condemn 140 acres of farmland just outside its border came to an abrupt halt Thursday when Washington County Circuit Judge Mark Gardner dismissed the case without prejudice and encouraged both parties to try mediation. Although the dismissal ends the current condemnation case, the city has the option of refiling it, Gardner said. Mediation is expected to start after the holidays, according to attorneys for the city and the property owners….

Gardner said after Thursday’s hearing ended that he thought the case wasn’t a good match for the limits of a courtroom, where there is always a winner and a loser. He listened to a day and a half of testimony before suggesting mediation as an alternative. “In a mediation, there’s all kinds of possibilities in terms of how people might structure a resolution,” he said.”