Alternative Dispute Resolution

Abstract

This article describes the various types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in common use today, including arbitration, mediation, fact-finding, minitrials, small claims courts and rent-a-judges. Professor Stone provides a history of the use of such mechanisms in the United States, with focus on the modern ADR movement, that began with the Pound conference in 1976. She describes the rapid growth in private as well as court-ordered ADR in its aftermath and summarizes some of the judicial doctrines that have been supportive of these trends.

Keywords: Alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, mediation