Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or external dispute resolution (EDR) refers to any means of settling disputes outside of the courtroom. ADR typically includes early neutral evaluation, negotiation, arbitration, mediation and conciliation. Public courts may be asked to review the validity of ADR methods, but they will rarely overturn ADR decisions and awards if the disputing parties formed a valid contract to abide by them.

It's crucial to understand the difference between binding and non-binding ADR. Negotiation, mediation, and conciliation are non-binding and rely on the parties' willingness to achieve an agreement on their own. Arbitration might be either legally binding or not. Binding arbitration results in a third-party ruling that the parties must abide by, even if they disagree with the outcome, similar to a judicial decision. Arbitration is a non-binding process that results in a third-party decision that the parties can accept or reject.

It's also crucial to understand the difference between mandatory and voluntary processes. Prior to going to court, several judicial systems require litigants to negotiate, conciliate, mediate, or arbitrate. Parties may also be required to use ADR as part of a prior contractual arrangement. Submission of a dispute to an ADR process is totally dependent on the parties' will in voluntary processes. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) encompasses various processes that help parties resolve disputes without resorting to traditional litigation. The key advantages of ADR include reduced costs, confidentiality, faster resolution times, and the preservation of relationships between parties. At Barrister Hasnain Khan Law Chamber, we specialize in various ADR methods to facilitate effective and amicable dispute resolution.