Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a method of resolving legal disputes outside of court. It includes various approaches that aim to help conflicting parties find mutually acceptable solutions to their disputes. The primary goal of ADR is to provide a faster, cheaper, and less formal alternative to traditional litigation.
The most common forms of ADR include mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. In mediation, a neutral third party helps the parties negotiate and communicate with each other to reach a resolution. In arbitration, an impartial individual or panel listens to both sides and makes a binding decision. Negotiation involves direct communication between the parties without a third party’s involvement but can involve lawyers representing each party.
ADR is becoming increasingly popular in many areas of the law, including family law, employment law, and business disputes. ADR can be particularly useful in cases where the parties want to maintain good relationships and avoid hostility and animosity that often arise from litigation.
In summary, ADR is a great way to resolve disputes outside of court, saving time, money and relationships between parties. As more people come to learn and trust this alternative means of conflict resolution, it is likely that we will see a continued increase in ADR usage in the coming years.