Disputes can happen in all walks of life, whether it’s an argument between neighbours or an employer and a member of staff. Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, is a way to resolve disputes without having to go to court.
You may also use it to narrow down a problem before going to court.
Advantages
Avoiding the need for court means that ADR is usually quicker, less stressful and cheaper. It’s completely confidential and you may reach a financial settlement.
Types of alternative dispute resolution
Mediation, conciliation and arbitration are the main types of ADR and in cases of consumer issues, ombudsmen. Before deciding which is best for you, look at what you want to achieve, the cost and how much time you want to spend on it. If cost is an issue, you might want to consider litigation funding. Litigation funding London is available from firms such as novo-modo.co.uk/litigation-funding-london.
With arbitration, an impartial professional will examine evidence that has been submitted by the parties involved and judge it before issuing a decision. It is usually legally binding, which means that it cannot later be disputed in court, but the advantage is that it is completely private and quicker. The arbitrator is usually someone who is an expert in the area which is being disputed.
With mediation, they are responsible for facilitating discussions so that the parties can arrive at an agreement. They do not make a decision, but help clarify the issues to support finding an amicable solution. This type of ADR is less formal and often more cost-effective.
