ADR is not merely a substitute for court proceedings or arbitration, but a method of dispute settlement in its own right. In ADR proceedings, the parties call upon a third party not for a decision, but for assistance in reaching an agreement. As a result, ADR is not only less expensive and usually quicker than other methods, but it is capable of giving both parties some degree of satisfaction. The purpose of this book is precisely to look at ADR on its own terms as a way of resolving business disputes, particularly at the international level. Drawing upon diverse approaches, ADR experts from a variety of countries explore the situations to which ADR lends itself and the different permutations it offers to allow each dispute to be handled in the manner most fitting to the circumstances. The contributors also show how ADR serves such important considerations as the interests involved, the need to avoid a public display of differences, and the wish to anticipate problems. By throwing new light on the achievements of ADR and the possibilities it offers, this book will help to situate ADR amongst the panoply of dispute resolution methods now available to the international business community. Practitioners faced with drafting a dispute resolution clause in a contract, or dealing with a dispute which has arisen, will find expert guidance here when deciding which method of resolution to adopt, or whether a combination of procedures would be appropriate. Academics will discover a very useful volume which not only deals with many of the issues raised by ADR, in particular its relationship with arbitration, but also provides material for comparative study of how these issues have been approached and treated until now in various regions of the world, cultures and backgrounds.

Whether the 'A' stands for 'appropriate', 'amicable', or 'alternative', all out of court dispute resolution modes, collected under the banner term 'ADR' , aim to assist the business world in overcoming relational differences in a truly manageable way. The first edition of this book (2006) contributed to a global awareness that ADR is important in its own right, and not simply as a substitute for litigation or arbitration. Now, drawing on a wealth of new sources and developments, including the flourishing of hybrid forms of ADR, the subject matter has been largely augmented and expanded on two fronts: in-depth analysis (both descriptive and comparative) of methodology, expectations and outcomes and extended geographical coverage across all continents. As a result, in this book twenty-nine 'intertwined but variegated' essays (to use the editor's characterization) provide substantial insight in such specific topics as: * ADR's flexible procedures as controlled by the parties; * ADR's facilitation of the continuation of relations between the parties; * privilege and confidentiality; * involvement of non-legal professionals; * the identity and the role of the 'neutral' as well as the role of the arbitrator; * the implementation of ICC and other international ADR rules; * the workings of Dispute Boards and * the role of ADR in securing investment and other specific objectives. In its compound thesis - growing in relevance every day - that numerous dispute resolution methods exist whose goals and developments are varied but fundamentally complementary, the multifaceted approach presented here is of immeasurable value to any business party, particularly at the international level. Practitioners faced with drafting a dispute resolution clause in a contract, or dealing with a dispute that has arisen, will find expert guidance here, and academics will expand their awareness of the issues raised by ADR, in particular as it relates to arbitration. A broad cross section of interested professionals will discover ample material for comparative study of how disputes are approached and resolved in numerous countries and cultures.