THE REPORT OPENS WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ADEQUACY WITH WHICH MINOR DISPUTES ARE BEING PROCESSED THROUGH THE EXISTING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES OF ANCHORAGE. THIS ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON REVIEWS OF THE RECORDS OF THE AGENCIES AND COURTS INVOLVED, INTERVIEWS WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF MEMBERS OF THE ANCHORAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. SIX TYPES OF DISPUTES ARE FOUND TO BE HANDLED INADEQUATELY BY EXISTING METHODS: DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS (E.G., HUSBAND-WIFE, PARENT-CHILD); CONSUMER COMPLAINTS; LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES; DISPUTES BETWEEN CITIZENS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES; SHOPLIFTING; AND DEBTS AND BAD CHECKS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANCHORAGE ESTABLISH A CITIZEN DISPUTE CENTER TO HANDLE SUCH CASES. THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED CENTER'S DESIGN AND OPERATION ARE ANALYZED: SPONSORSHIP AND SUPERVISION BY THE COURTS; TYPES OF CONTROVERSIES, HANDLED; MECHANISMS FOR THE REFERRAL OF DISPUTES; INTAKE PROCEDURES; RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES; STAFFING; AND FOLLOWUP AND RECORDKEEPING PROCEDURES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSAL AND ESTIMATES OF OPERATIONAL COSTS ARE INCLUDED. BASED ON AN ANNUAL CASELOAD OF 1,000, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT EACH CASE HEARING WILL COST $15. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS APPENDED.