Alternative dispute resolution

Court is not always the best place to resolve a dispute. For many businesses and individuals, the priority is finding a practical outcome quickly, controlling cost, and avoiding unnecessary disruption.

Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, offers a structured way to do exactly that. It allows parties to explore settlement options outside the courtroom, often reaching resolution faster and more cost-effectively than through litigation.

Our solicitors advise on the full range of ADR options, helping you choose the right approach for your dispute and supporting you through the process from start to finish.

Why ADR matters

Courts in England and Wales now place far greater emphasis on alternative dispute resolution than ever before. Recent changes to the Civil Procedure Rules mean judges can actively encourage, and in some cases require, parties to engage in ADR as part of managing a case. The courts’ overriding objective now includes promoting the use of ADR, and a failure to engage reasonably can be reflected in cost decisions. In practice, that means ADR is no longer just an option to consider, but an important part of modern dispute strategy.

Taking a proactive approach to ADR can reduce legal costs, shorten timescales, and place control of the outcome back in your hands rather than leaving it to a judge. For businesses in particular, ADR also protects commercial relationships and reputations in a way that formal litigation often cannot.

Types of ADR we advise on

Different disputes call for different approaches. Our solicitors will guide you on which form of ADR is most appropriate based on your objectives, the nature of the dispute, and the likely risks.

We regularly advise on:

• Negotiation, often the most direct and cost-effective route to settlement through structured, without prejudice discussions.
   
• Mediation, where an independent mediator helps parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution without imposing a decision.
   
• Conciliation, commonly used in employment disputes and, in many cases, a mandatory step before employment tribunal proceedings.
   
• Arbitration, a more formal process in which an independent arbitrator considers the evidence and reaches a decision that is often legally binding.
   
• Adjudication, frequently used in construction disputes, providing a fast-tracked process with strict timescales, typically concluding within twenty-eight days.

Each method has its place. The key is choosing the one that best serves your commercial and legal position.

How ADR can benefit your dispute

ADR is not about avoiding tough decisions. It is about resolving disputes in a way that makes sense in the real world.

For many clients, the advantages include faster resolution, lower legal costs, confidentiality, and greater flexibility in outcomes. Just as importantly, ADR often reduces the emotional and operational strain that prolonged litigation places on businesses and individuals alike.

How our solicitors support you

Effective ADR depends on preparation as much as process. Our role is to ensure you approach any negotiation, mediation, or arbitration from a position of strength.

We support clients by assessing the legal merits of their case, helping define realistic settlement objectives, preparing key documents and strategy, and ensuring that any agreement reached is legally sound and enforceable.

Where ADR does not lead to resolution, we are equally well placed to advise on next steps, including formal court proceedings.

Speak to our dispute resolution solicitors

Our ADR services draw on expertise across litigation, employment law, corporate law, construction, and wider commercial advisory. That breadth allows us to look at disputes from every angle and recommend solutions that protect your position both legally and commercially.

With solicitors based in London, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, and Ulverston, we support clients locally and nationwide.

If you are looking for a more efficient way to resolve a dispute, our team can advise on whether alternative dispute resolution is the right approach for you.