As we honor the Constitution on Law Day, we reflect on how our court system is meeting the aspirations set forth in that foundational document by making the litigation process more accessible and efficient for all New Yorkers. A central component of that effort is court-sponsored alternative dispute resolution (ADR), which offers multiple user-friendly options that enable litigants to avoid the often protracted, expensive and self-defeating course of traditional litigation.

Broadly speaking, ADR refers to any process the parties can use to settle a case without trial, including mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation and settlement conferences. These processes are less formal than traditional court proceedings, and they generally lead to more efficient, cost-effective and satisfactory dispositions for the parties. Mediation, for example, enables the litigants to meet with a trained neutral to discuss both the legal and non-legal issues in their case. Giving litigants the opportunity to address and be heard on the issues underlying their dispute can help preserve relationships, reduce the number of court appearances and lead to individually-tailored solutions. For many litigants, the opportunity to be fully heard is the most important aspect of the justice process; for others, justice depends on the ability to promptly address and resolve disputed issues. ADR does a very good job of satisfying both of these vital goals.