Questions: In which of the following do parties select a neutral third party and explain their respective positions to this neutral, who then evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the case? (A) Summary jury trial (B) Med-arb (C) Early neutral case evaluation (D) Private trials

The answer is C: Early neutral case evaluation.

Explanation for each option:

(A) Summary jury trial: This is a process where a mock trial is conducted with a jury that provides a non-binding verdict. It is used to give parties an idea of how their case might be perceived by a real jury, but it does not involve a neutral third party evaluating the case.

(B) Med-arb: This is a combination of mediation and arbitration. The process starts with mediation, and if the parties cannot reach an agreement, it moves to arbitration. The neutral party acts as a mediator first and then as an arbitrator if needed, but it is not specifically about evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case.

(C) Early neutral case evaluation: In this process, a neutral third party is selected to hear the parties' positions and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the case. This evaluation helps the parties understand the likely outcomes and can facilitate settlement discussions.

(D) Private trials: These are trials conducted privately, often with a retired judge acting as the decision-maker. They are similar to public trials but are not specifically about evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case by a neutral third party.

(E) Neutral submission: This option is not a standard term in dispute resolution processes and does not fit the description provided in the question.