Disputes are a part of life. They can happen in business, between family members, or even with friends. When two people can’t agree on something, the easiest solution is often to go to court and let a judge decide who is right and who is wrong.
But what if there was another way? What if you could resolve disputes without going to court? This is where alternative dispute resolution comes in. In this blog post, we will discuss what alternative dispute resolution is, and how it can help you resolve disputes without having to go to court.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, is a way to resolve disputes without going to court. There are several different types of ADR, including arbitration, mediation, and negotiation. Each one has its own set of rules and procedures, but they all have the same goal: to help the parties involved reach a resolution without having to go to court.
How does ADR work?
Alternative dispute resolution typically involves a third party who helps the parties reach a resolution. This third party could be an arbitrator, a mediator, or a negotiator. The third-party will listen to both sides of the story and help them come up with a solution that works for everyone involved.
Why you should not go to court?
Going to court is often seen as the only way to resolve disputes. But going to court can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. It can also damage relationships between the parties involved. Alternative dispute resolution can help you avoid all of these problems.
What are the benefits of ADR?
There are several benefits of using alternative dispute resolution, including:
- It is cheaper than going to court
- It is faster than going to court
- It can be less stressful than going to court
- It can help you avoid damaging your relationships with the other party
Alternative dispute resolution is a great way to resolve disputes without having to go to court. If you are considering resolving a dispute this way, contact us today for more information.
Disadvantages of ADR?
Alternative dispute resolution is not perfect. There are some disadvantages to using ADR, including:
- It can be more expensive than settling the dispute outside of court
- There is no guarantee that a resolution will be reached
- The parties involved may not be happy with the outcome and end up in court anyway
Despite these disadvantages, alternative dispute resolution is still a great way to resolve disputes. If you are considering using ADR, please contact us today for more information.
When do you have to Go to Court?
There are some cases where you have to go to court, even if you are using alternative dispute resolution. These include:
- When the parties involved cannot come to a resolution
- When one of the parties does not participate in the ADR process
- When the dispute is about a criminal offence
- When the dispute is about child custody or support
If you are involved in a dispute and you fall into one of these categories, you will have to go to court. However, alternative dispute resolution can still be used in most other cases.
What are the Four Types of Alternative Dispute Resolution?
There are four types of alternative dispute resolution: arbitration, mediation, negotiation, and collaborative law.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a process where the parties involved agree to have a third party (an arbitrator) decide who is right and who is wrong. The arbitrator will listen to both sides of the story and make a decision based on the evidence presented.
Mediation
Mediation is a process where the parties involved meet with a mediator to discuss the dispute. The mediator will help the parties come up with a resolution that works for everyone involved.
Negotiation
Negotiation is a process where the parties involved meet to discuss the dispute. The goal of negotiation is to reach a resolution that everyone is happy with.
Collaborative law
Collaborative law is a process where the parties involved work with a lawyer who specializes in collaborative law. The goal of collaborative law is to reach a resolution without going to court.
Each one of these processes has its own set of rules and procedures, but they all have the same goal: to help the parties involved resolve the dispute without going to court.
Arbitration
What is arbitration?
Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution in which the two parties involved in a dispute agree to have a third party, called an arbitrator, decide who is right and who is wrong.
The arbitrator listens to both sides of the story and makes a decision based on the evidence presented. Arbitration is often used in business disputes but can be used in any type of dispute.
Who is an Arbitrator?
An arbitrator is a person who is appointed by the two parties involved in a dispute to decide who is right and who is wrong.
The arbitrator should be someone who is impartial and has no connection to either of the parties involved in the dispute. The arbitrator should also have some legal knowledge so that they can make a decision based on the evidence presented.
Qualifications of an Arbitrator
In commonwealth Jurisdictions and America, an arbitrator is a person that is appointed by the court to resolve a dispute in court-annexed arbitrations.
The arbitrator has all of the powers of a judge and must follow all state and federal laws when making a decision.
In order to be qualified to be an arbitrator, you must have knowledge in the area of law that the dispute pertains to, and you must be impartial. You cannot have any interest in the outcome of the case, and you cannot have been involved in the case in any way.
Institutions that Train and Accredit Arbitrators
There are many institutions that offer training and accreditation for arbitrators. The most notable of these institutions is the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
The AAA is a not-for-profit organization that offers training and accreditation for both commercial and consumer arbitrations. They also offer neutral arbitration services in both commercial and consumer disputes.
Various Chambers of Arbitrators:
In addition to the AAA, there are many other organizations that offer training and accreditation for arbitrators. Some of these organizations include:
- The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),
- The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC),
- The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC),
- The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
- The Dubai International Arbitration Centre,
- The International Centre for Dispute Resolution,
- The Newyork International Arbitration Centre,
- The International Arbitration Centre.
Each of these organizations has its own set of qualifications for arbitrators, and they all offer different types of training. So, if you are interested in becoming an arbitrator, it is best to research all of your options before making a decision.
The Role of an Arbitrator:
An arbitrator’s role is to hear both sides of the dispute and then make a decision based on the evidence presented. The arbitrator will not take into account personal feelings or opinions, only the facts of the case. This makes arbitration a fair way to resolve disputes.
Advantages of Arbitration
There are several advantages to arbitration:
- Arbitration is often cheaper and faster than going to court.
- -The arbitrator’s decision is final, so there is no chance of a appeal.
- -Arbitration can be done privately, so the details of the dispute are not made public.
- -Arbitration can be used to resolve disputes between family members or friends.
- -Arbitration is confidential, so the parties involved cannot discuss the case with anyone else.
Disadvantages of Arbitration
There are also a few disadvantages to arbitration:
- The parties involved in the dispute may not have a lawyer represent them.
- The arbitrator’s decision may not be fair or impartial.
- Arbitration can be more expensive than going to court.
- Arbitration can take longer than going to court.
The arbitration agreement
In order to use arbitration, the two parties involved in the dispute must agree to it. This agreement is called an arbitration agreement. The arbitration agreement can be written or oral, but it must be in writing if the arbitrator is to make a decision based on it.
An arbitration agreement can include any terms the two parties agree to, but it must include:
- The name of the arbitrator or arbitration company;
- The location of the arbitration;
- The language of the arbitration;
- How costs will be shared;
- Any other terms the two parties agree to;
- How the arbitration agreement can be terminated; and
- The jurisdiction of the arbitrator.
An arbitration agreement is a legally binding contract, so make sure you understand what you are agreeing to before you sign it.
How is Arbitration instituted?
Arbitration can be instituted in one of two ways: by agreement between the parties or by order of a court.
If the parties agree to arbitrate a dispute, they will sign a contract stating that they agree to submit to arbitration.
If a court orders arbitration, it will issue an order directing the parties to submit to arbitration. This order is usually based on a motion filed by one of the parties requesting that the court compel arbitration.
What happens if I don’t want to go to Arbitration?
If you do not want to go to arbitration, you have three options:
- Comply with the order and participate in the arbitration;
- File a petition for judicial review with the appropriate court seeking to set aside the order; or
- File a complaint with the arbitration administrator seeking to have the arbitration agreement set aside.
If you choose to file a petition for judicial review or a complaint with the arbitration administrator, you must do so within the time prescribed by law. If you fail to do so, you may be barred from raising these issues later on.
How is Arbitration Conducted?
The arbitration proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, which will govern all aspects of the arbitration, including the procedure for filing and serving documents, the taking of evidence, and the making of rulings by the arbitrator.
Unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitrator will be a retired judge or lawyer who has been appointed by the arbitration administrator.
The hearing will be held in a place that is convenient for both parties and that is within 50 miles of their respective places of residence. The hearing will be closed to the public and no record will be made except for a written decision by the arbitrator.
The arbitrator may award any remedy that is available to a court under law, including monetary damages, injunctive relief, or both.
Enforcement of an Arbitral Award
An arbitral award is a final and binding decision, and the parties are required to comply with it.
If either party fails to comply with the award, the other party may file a petition for enforcement with the appropriate court.
The court will enforce the arbitral award in accordance with its own rules of civil procedure.
This means that the court may require the parties to take certain actions or may impose sanctions on them if they fail to comply with the arbitral award.
Can you challenge the arbitral award?
Yes, a party can challenge the arbitral award by filing a petition for judicial review with the appropriate court.
The grounds for challenging an arbitral award are very limited and are set out in the Arbitration Act.
A party must file a petition for judicial review within 30 days of receiving notice of the arbitral award.
If you fail to file a petition for judicial review within 30 days, you may be barred from raising this issue later on.
Mediation
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that involves the intervention of a neutral third party, called a mediator, to help the parties resolve their dispute.
The mediator is not a judge and does not make decisions for the parties.
Rather, the mediator assists the parties in negotiating an agreement that resolves their dispute.
The mediation process is confidential and the parties are not required to disclose their discussions to anyone.
If an agreement is reached through mediation, it will be binding on the parties.
Types of Mediation
There are two types of mediation:
- Facilitative mediation and
- Evaluative mediation.
Facilitative mediation
Facilitative mediation is the most common type of mediation. In this type of mediation, the mediator facilitates a discussion between the parties and helps them reach an agreement.
Evaluative mediation
Evaluative mediation is a less common type of mediation in which the mediator evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s position and provides advice to them about the best way to settle their dispute.
Who is a Mediator?
A mediator is a neutral third party who helps two or more people resolve a dispute. Mediators are typically chosen because they have experience in the field of law, business, or another relevant area. They must also be impartial and unbiased, meaning that they cannot take sides in the dispute.
Qualifications of a Mediator
Qualifications for becoming a mediator vary depending on the state, but most require that mediators complete mediation training and pass an exam. Some states also require that mediators be certified by an organization such as the National Association of Certified Mediators (NACM).
Institutions that Train and Certify Mediators
There are many institutions that offer mediation training and certification. Some of the most popular ones include:
- The National Association of Certified Mediators (NACM),
- The Academy of Family Mediators (AFM), and the
- American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Each of these organizations offers mediation training and certification programs that meet or exceed the requirements set by most states.
What is the role of a Mediator?
A mediator’s role is to help the parties involved in a dispute reach a resolution. This can involve anything from helping the parties communicate better to suggesting possible solutions. Mediators do not make decisions for the parties; instead, they help the parties come to their own agreement.
This means that the mediator will not tell the parties what to do, but will instead help them come to a resolution on their own.
What is the process of mediation?
The process of mediation is pretty informal with no hard and fast rules of procedure and processes. However, the commonly accepted mediation practice usually involves the following steps:
The mediator meets with the parties and explains the mediation process;
- The parties discuss their dispute and try to reach an agreement;
- The mediator helps the parties to finalize their agreement; and
- The mediator prepares a written agreement that the parties sign.
Advantages of Mediation
There are many benefits to using mediation to resolve disputes:
- It is a less expensive and faster way to resolve disputes than going to court;
- The parties have control over the outcome of the dispute;
- The process is confidential, so the parties can discuss their issues without fear of public disclosure;
- The parties are more likely to comply with an agreement that they have negotiated themselves; and
- The parties can maintain their relationship after the dispute has been resolved.
Disadvantages of Mediation
There are also some potential disadvantages to using mediation:
- The parties may not be able to reach an agreement;
- The mediator may not be impartial or unbiased; and
- The mediator may not have the expertise to resolve certain types of disputes.
Negotiation
Negotiation and as an ADR method is a process by which two or more parties attempt to settle a dispute. The parties usually have opposing viewpoints and interests, and through negotiation, they work together to find a solution that meets the needs of all parties involved. ADR methods can be used in business disputes, family law disputes, and even international conflicts.
Advantages of Negotiation
There are many advantages to negotiating a dispute instead of going to court.
- Negotiation is typically much cheaper than going to court.
- Negotiation allows the parties to control the outcome of the dispute. This means that they can come up with a solution that works for them, rather than having a judge decide what is best.
- Negotiation allows the parties to maintain their relationships after the dispute has been resolved.
- Privacy. Negotiation can be done privately, without the public knowing about the dispute.
- Negotiation is often faster and less stressful than going to court.
Disadvantages of Negotiation
There are also a few disadvantages to negotiating a dispute.
- The parties may not be able to come up with a solution that works for them.
- The negotiation process can be time consuming and frustrating.
- If the parties cannot agree on a solution, the dispute may have to go to court after all.
Conclusion
Alternative dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration, mediation and negotiation, can be a great way to resolve disputes without having to go to court. These methods are cheaper, faster, and less stressful than going to court, and they allow the parties involved to maintain their relationships after the dispute has been resolved. However, there are also some disadvantages to these methods, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding which method is right for you.