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These web sites offer more information about ADR:
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Legal Solutions for Families
Whether you have been court-ordered to attempt alternative dispute resolution or have decided to try settling your dispute outside of the courts, we welcome the opportunity to assist you. We know that you have a choice of professionals and are honored you are considering us. We value your confidence and strive to provide services that we consider the finest available in the family law field.
The Center for Legal Solutions offers a range of innovative, effective and affordable services to help individuals resolve domestic relations matters.
We believe that the appropriate method of dispute resolution depends on the particular circumstances of the dispute involved. As a general rule, disputes should be resolved as efficiently as possible, minimizing the time and resources devoted to dispute resolution.
Trial Should be Your Last Resort
"The courts of this country should not be the place where resolution of disputes begins. They should be the places where the disputes end after alternative methods of resolving disputes have been considered and tried." -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Many divorcing couples have been burned by a "sue first, ask questions later" mentality with respect to domestic relations. Rather than resolving matters favorably, contested litigation often increases distrust, anger, resentments and imposes a significant emotional and financial burden on the parties involved.
Mediation
Mediation is often the most efficient method of resolving disputes. Little preparation is required to utilize our Domestic Relations Mediation Service. We have enjoyed mediation settlement rates in the 75-80% range. Parties that are unable to resolve matters on their own or by direct negotiations through attorneys can often fully resolve their disputes in a matter of hours with a trained, professional mediator.
If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, consider trying to reach a mediated settlement agreement before resorting to courtroom litigation. Only about 4% of litigated cases are resolved by a judge or jury. The overwhelming majority of cases are settled before trial, so why not try to reach a settlement first and avoid some or all of costs of litigation? When parties commit to mediation, it usually works to produce a voluntary settlement. If you are unable to reach a settlement through mediation, you can always resort to the courts. More information about Domestic Relations Mediation Service.
Discovery Audits / Special Masters
Some parties may not be ready to mediate without first discovering relevant information about the subject matter of litigation. In many cases, however, the discovery process itself can become hotly contested, imposing costs on the parties that may exceed the amount in controversy.
The Center for Legal Solutions' Discovery Auditing Service can help litigants resolve numerous, complex discovery disputes fairly and efficiently. Parties can submit some or all discovery issues to a neutral discovery auditor (special master) who will carefully consider the parties' arguments and provide the parties prompt rulings or recommendations that resolve the discovery issues.
Discovery audits are limited to resolving disputes related to discovery. The discovery auditor does not mediate settlement discussions. This service may be particular useful in complex disputes that involve numerous documents, witnesses and electronic discovery. More information about Discovery Auditing Service
Case Evaluation
Case evaluation is a process in which a lawyer with expertise in the subject matter of the litigation acts as a neutral evaluator of the case.
Typically, parties that utilize our Case Evaluation Service each present a summary of their legal theories and evidence to the neutral evaluator who then works with the parties to resolve all, or some of the issues presented by the case.
Case evaluation is a flexible process in which the neutral evaluator will explore the possibilities of settlement with the parties. In some cases, the process will resemble a mediation session. If settlement discussions are premature or not worthwhile, the case evaluator can help the parties streamline discovery and other pretrial aspects of the case. More information about Case Evaluation Service
Arbitration
The Center for Legal Solutions' Arbitration Services offer a prompt, just and efficient method of resolving disputes, including domestic relations matters. Arbitration is an adversarial process in which parties present opposing claims to a neutral Arbitrator. Following a hearing, the Arbitrator issues an Award which decides who prevails on the claims.
Arbitration has proven a fair and efficient alternative to courtroom litigation for disputes that the parties have been unable to resolve through negotiation or mediation. During arbitration proceedings, parties can argue their case to the arbitrator, present evidence and examine witnesses
Because arbitration is generally a more involved and costly process than mediation, it is suggested that parties attempt to resolve their dispute through direct negotiation and mediation before initiating arbitration proceedings. More information about Arbitration Services
Hybird Mediation-Arbitration
The Center for Legal Solutions offers a Hybrid Mediation-Arbitration Service that provides parties an opportunity to reach a voluntary settlement to some or all issues in dispute with a back-up method of resolving issues that the parties are unable to settle voluntarily.
To utilize this service, parties would agree to mediate then arbitrate any issues not resolved through mediation. Mediating first may result in complete settlement or at least narrowing the issues to be decided through arbitration. More information about Hybrid Mediation-Arbitration Service
If you have questions about The Center for Legal Solutions that are not answered on this web site, feel free to e-mail your question to questions@centerforlegalsolutions.org and we will do our best to respond within 48 hours.
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We recently hosted a special event for 
The Center for Legal Solutions Director Barry Edwards' Article on 
