alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
In family law and in many other legal disputes, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an umbrella term that encompasses several different alternatives to litigation such as, mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation and collaborative law. It is often less formal and generally considered less costly than litigation.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A catchall term that describes a variety of methods that parties can use to resolve disputes outside of court, including negotiation, conciliation, mediation, collaborative practice, and the many types of arbitration. The common denominator of all ADR methods is that they are faster, less formalistic, less expensive, and often less adversarial than a court trial.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:11 pm
