Alternative Dispute Resolution: Alternative Dispute Resolution--Generally

As mentioned prior, "alternative dispute relations" is defined as any procedure for settling a dispute other than litigation. The main advantages being rapidity, confidentiality, and flexibility.

All ADR methods have common characteristics – i.e., enabling the parties to find admissible solutions to their conflicts outside of traditional legal/court proceedings, but they are governed by different rules.

Alternative Dispute Resolution typically includes early neutral evaluation, negotiation, conciliation, mediation, and arbitration. As burgeoning court queues, rising costs of litigation, and time delays continue to plague litigants, more states have begun experimenting with ADR programs. Some of these programs are voluntary; others are mandatory.