Alternative Dispute Resolution Essays

Alternative Dispute Resolution Essays Alternative Dispute Resolution Paper Alternative Dispute Resolution Paper Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the name given to the process where parties in a dispute come to a compromise or settle their dispute without going to court. The main reason people use ADR is to save the expense of using the courts and solicitors. There are four main forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Negotiation is the simplest form of ADR. Where two people have a dispute they can negotiate a solution themselves. The advantages to the parties involved are that it is completely private and its fast and cheap. Mediation is where a neutral person the mediator helps the parties to reach a compromise. The job of the mediator is to consult with each party and see how much common ground there is between them. S/he should act as a facilitator, taking offers between the parties. The mediator doesnt offer an opinion. Mediation is most suitable where there is some chance that the parties will co-operate. Mediation is not legally binding on the parties. There are a number of organisations that offer mediation services. One of the main ones is the Centre for Dispute Resolution; many companies use their mediation services to save money in legal fees. The only disadvantage of using mediation to settle a dispute is there is no guarantee that a settlement will be reached. This means that you still have to use the courts, so in effect failure at the mediation stage can result in extra delays and extra costs. However, the Centre for Dispute Resolution report that around 80% of the disputes they deal with are settled without the need for any court action. Conciliation is similar to mediation where a neutral third party helps the parties to resolve their dispute; however, the conciliator plays a more active role in the process. S/he will be expected to suggest ways in which a compromise could be reached. Conciliation is not legally binding on the parties. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) are used by many employers and Trade Unions to settle disputes before (and sometimes during) industrial action takes place. Arbitration is the most formal of the methods used to settle disputes without using the courts. Arbitration is where the parties with a disagreement pass their dispute to a third party, who will make a judgment on their behalf. This judgment will then be legally binding on the parties. The relevant law on arbitration can be found in the Arbitration Act 1996. The agreement to go to arbitration can be made by the parties at any time. It can be written into a business contract by what is called a Scott v Avery clause or the parties may just agree on arbitration when a dispute arises. The parties can agree the number of arbitrators who will hear their dispute. It could be three, two or just one person. The parties will normally appoint someone who is an expert in their particular area of business. There is also the Institute of Arbitrators who will provide trained arbitrators to parties who wish to settle a dispute. The actual procedure to be followed in any arbitration hearing is left to the parties to decide. Therefore, arbitration hearings can take many forms. The parties can decide on a paper arbitration, which means the parties submit everything to the arbitrator in writing, who will then read everything and make a decision. However the parties can also have a hearing at which they appear and give evidence and witnesses may be called.