Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an umbrella term encapsulating the main methods of resolving disputes other than litigation (i.e., the process of taking a dispute to court). They include:
Negotiation which may involve the parties making offers, providing explanations or even apologies.
Mediation (including Judicial Mediation and Workplace Mediation)*, a third party facilitating a resolution to the dispute.
Arbitration, a third party deciding the dispute.
Conciliation, a third party facilitating a resolution to the dispute (where the third party may also intervene to offer solutions).
Early Neutral Evaluation, a third party giving an informed opinion on the dispute.
Adjudication, a compulsory dispute resolution process that applies specifically to the construction industry.
Ombudsman schemes, an independent service that helps to resolve complaints https://www.ombudsmanassociation.org
No party can (or should) be forced to enter into any form of ADR, but unreasonable refusal to consider ADR will be taken into account by the courts when deciding who bears the costs of litigation.