Neutral Case Evaluation (“NCE”) is a process where each side presents written and oral summaries of its case to a neutral evaluator (“the Neutral”). With NCE, lawyers and their clients receive independent feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their respective case. The goal is to provide parties with a more realistic assessment of the potential outcome of their case if it goes to trial.  

NCE may be a good choice when:

• A party or an attorney has an unrealistic view of the dispute;

• The parties want a realistic independent assessment of the case before entering critical settlement negotiations;

• The case involves a technical issue and parties want an assessment of the impact of that issue on the possible outcome of the case;

• Clients want an independent opinion of their lawyer’s assessment of the case or a lawyer wants an independent voice to evaluate the case and speak to his or her client; or

• The lawyers are having issues communicating properly about the merits of the case and realistic case outcomes.

Each of CMAA’s Neutrals have seen, evaluated, and participated in thousands of cases and have decades of experience in their chosen practice areas or on the bench. Their independent expert evaluation can add value to the case by educating parties, informing their decisions through the litigation process, and putting each party in the best possible position to resolve their case short of a trial.