What does "ADR" stand for in legal terms?

The acronym "ADR" stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution. This term encompasses various methods used to resolve disputes outside of traditional court litigation, such as mediation and arbitration. These processes are often favored for their ability to save time, reduce costs, and provide more flexible and creative resolutions that can better meet the needs of the parties involved.

Understanding ADR is essential in the legal field as it reflects a growing preference for resolving conflicts in a manner that can preserve relationships between the parties, foster collaboration, and allow for solutions that a court might not typically provide. Such methods have gained prominence as they often lead to quicker outcomes and are less adversarial than going through the courts, making them attractive options for disputants.