on, a neutral third party is empowered by the parties to decide the outcome of a dispute. Of all the methods of alternative dispute resolution, arbitration most closely resembles standard legal proceedings.There are two types of arbitration: binding and non-binding. In binding arbitration, the parties agree to waive their right to go to court for a judicial decision. In non-binding arbitration, the parties have the discretion to abide by the arbitrator's decision. Other Dispute Resolution ProcessesThere is a spectrum of dispute resolution processes, ranging from informal discussion to formal adjudication. The concept behind the development of alternative dispute resolution, or "ADR," is that the traditional adjudicatory model of dispute resolution is not always the best approach. Rather, the concept has developed that "the forum should fit the fuss," and not vice versa. With time, ADR has come to have a new meaning, "appropriate dispute resolution." In light of the rapid growth of collaborative negotiation, mediation and other settlement processes, there is, in fact, nothing alternative at all about ADR today. We are finding collaborative negotiation and mediation processes adopted with increasing frequency in legal, governmental, business and family matters. There are no limits to the types of dispute resolution processes that can be utilized. When it comes to settlement processing, "anything goes," both in terms of the process of reaching resolution and content of any resolution. The only key is that the parties (and assisting professionals) understand and agree to the same process. This concept of "informed consent to the process" permeates the ADR movement. Also common to the ADR processes is the concept of creating a settlement event, some shared experience that increases the likelihood of resolution. All ADR processes have the following desirable impacts:A. They motivate the parties and any representatives to fasten their att...
