Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms - Benefits and Limitations

Conflict is specific for human society and cannot be ignored. It is of great importance to recognize it but more important is how to manage it. In recent decades, the various conflict resolution approaches have been widely accepted both at the academic level, but also in practice. All these techniques, methods and mechanisms have been gathered under the name of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Alternative Dispute Resolution comprises various approaches for resolving disputes or conflicts in a non violent way, raging from negotiation, through mediation, consensus building, to arbitration. The main purpose of this article is to discuss what the benefits of using the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are, but also to identify their limitation. It underlines the positive impact that ADR mechanisms can have over the society development, but also underlines some possible negative issues if not properly used.