NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO FORMAL COURT ACTION FOR THE RESOLUTION OF MINOR CRIMINAL AND CIVIL DISPUTES, THE NATURE OF WHICH OFTEN REQUIRES COMPROMISES NOT READILY ACHIEVED THROUGH TRADITIONAL COURTROOM ADJUDICATION. COURT PROCEDURES ARE HAMPERED BY DELAYS, HIGH COSTS, INCONVENIENCE, AND HIGH DISMISSAL RATES. MOREOVER MINOR DISPUTES CONTRIBUTE TO THE BURDEN OF THE COURT, REDUCING AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO HANDLE REMAINING CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS. NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS ARE DESIGNED TO OFFER CONCILIATION, MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION, AND TO PROVIDE CITIZENS WITH READY ACCESS TO A MORE RAPID, EFFECTIVE PROCESS FOR DEALING WITH INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS WITHOUT CONTRIBUTING TO THE COURTS' GROWING BURDEN OF MINOR CASES. KEY PROGRAM FEATURES ADDRESSED IN THIS BRIEF INCLUDE CASE CRITERIA, REFERRAL SOURCES, INTAKE PROCEDURES, RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES, STAFF, TRAINING, AND FOLLOWUP. AGENDA FOR ACTION TOWARD ESTABLISHING A NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER REQUIRES DETERMINING LOCAL NEEDS, SELECTING A SPONSOR EITHER FROM THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR WHOSE CONNECTIONS ARE STRONG IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR THE COMMUNITY, AND OBTAINING FUNDS. ECONOMIC MEASURES TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDE USE OF VOLUNTEERS, 'FREE' SPACE IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND CHARGING CLIENTS ON A SLIDING SCALE BASIS. IN ADDITION, STATE-LEVEL SUPPORT POSSIBILITIES ARE SUGGESTED, SUCH AS PROJECT GUIDELINES, FUNDING MECHANISMS, CONFIDENTIALITY SAFEGUARDS, AND LIMITATIONS ON STAFF CIVIL LIABILITY. SOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE ARE LISTED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS SAMPLE STATE LEGISLATION SUPPORTING JUSTICE CENTERS. (MRK)