Dispute Resolution Processes Essay, Research Paper

Dispute Resolution Processes

Wherever there is a human-interaction, conflict is virtually unpreventable. For-instance, some conflict may well erupt a dispute in any structure of relationships, and other perhaps resulting in extremely compound international confrontation and hostility.

It isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem (G. K. Chesterton).

Consequently, dispute resolution processes have been developed to manage and intervene in these types of disputes. The result is a highly diverse field in which conflict mediation professionals and other private nonprofit organization take on a broad array of roles. This research paper defines some of the different roles established in the dispute resolution processes, with an outline to some advantages of employing alternative dispute resolution “ADR”.

Mediation

Mediation is one of several approaches to conflict resolution that uses a “third party” intermediary to help the disputing parties resolve their conflict. Unlike arbitration, where the third party actually makes the decision about how the conflict should be resolved, mediators only assist the parties in their efforts to formulate a solution of their own.

The definition of mediation has often created confusion due to the ambiguity of the essence of mediation. Mediation is however used in nearly every area of human interaction.

In some cases, mediation is a more useful and efficient alternative dispute resolution option. This is particularly the case if there is an on-going relationship between the parties (in either a direct or indirect way) and/or there is a relatively small amount of money in controversy. Mediation could be confidential and it allows for any creative settlement options that are satisfactory for all concerned. In mediation, the neutral third party facilitates negotiation between the parties, assisting them towards resolution. The mediator may not render a decision.

Arbitration

In arbitration, a neutral third party is empowered by the parties to decide the outcome of a dispute. Of all the methods of alternative dispute resolution, arbitration most closely resembles standard legal proceedings.

There are two types of arbitration: binding and non-binding. In binding arbitration, the parties agree to waive their right to go to court for a judicial decision. In non-binding arbitration, the parties have the discretion to abide by the arbitrator’s decision.

Other Dispute Resolution Processes

There is a spectrum of dispute resolution processes, ranging from informal discussion to formal adjudication. The concept behind the development of alternative dispute resolution, or “ADR,” is that the traditional adjudicatory model of dispute resolution is not always the best approach. Rather, the concept has developed that “the forum should fit the fuss,” and not vice versa.

With time, ADR has come to have a new meaning, “appropriate dispute resolution.” In light of the rapid growth of collaborative negotiation, mediation and other settlement processes, there is, in fact, nothing alternative at all about ADR today. We are finding collaborative negotiation and mediation processes adopted with increasing frequency in legal, governmental, business and family matters.

There are no limits to the types of dispute resolution processes that can be utilized. When it comes to settlement processing, “anything goes,” both in terms of the process of reaching resolution and content of any resolution. The only key is that the parties (and assisting professionals) understand and agree to the same process. This concept of “informed consent to the process” permeates the ADR movement. Also common to the ADR processes is the concept of creating a settlement event, some shared experience that increases the likelihood of resolution.

All ADR processes have the following desirable impacts:

A. They motivate the parties and any representatives to fasten their attention to the case and prepare for resolution;

B. The parties have “their day in court,” a “hearing” in which they have the opportunity to present their perspectives on the situation and their sense of a “fair” resolution;

C. Often for the first time, the parties have the opportunity to experience a capable presentation of the other side’s case;

D. The parties have a window of opportunity to identify common interests and points of agreement, and the opportunity to fashion mutually acceptable settlement options to disputed issues.

The ADR processes differ in their formality and placement of decision-making power. If the process is mediation, the decision-making power will reside at all times with the parties. In adjudication and arbitration, the decision-making power lies with the third-party neutral.

The ADR Processes

Adjudicatory Processes

Adjudication – the competitive presentation of evidence to a judge that results in an order, judgment or decree (win/lose decision). The decision-maker is selected by the community and rules according to community legal standards. There are formal rules of procedure and evidence. The judge’s decision may be appealed.

Arbitration – the competitive presentation of evidence to a decision-maker selected by the parties for an award (win/lose decision). The arbitrator is typically selected based upon the arbitrator’s substantive expertise. The arbitration is held according to procedural and evidentiary rules the parties agree upon. Arbitration decisions typically cannot be appealed, except in situations of undue influence, bias, duress, etc.

Court Annexed Arbitration – Court-annexed arbitration is not true arbitration as parties have right to trial de novo (a trial as if no arbitration took place). Court-annexed arbitration is really a negotiation process, intended to promote settlement for designated classes of cases, such as property claims under $25,000. There are often financial sanctions for proceeding to trial, if a party does not improve their position relative to the non-binding arbitration award.

Private Tribunals (Rent a Judge) – By statute in most states, parties can appoint any person as their judge, with full judicial powers. The private tribunal’s decision is entitled to entry as a judgment and may be appealed.

Consensual Processes

Ombudsperson – An official appointed by and paid for by an institution, who investigates problems, seeks to prevent conflict and assists to resolve disputes. The ombudsperson is not a true mediator due to the institutional affiliation, which to some extent, compromises his or her impartiality and neutrality.

Fact-finding – An agreed-upon neutral finds facts as an assist to some other processes – negotiation, mediation or adjudication. Fact-finding is often used in the labor-management context. The fact-finder may make findings public, with the parties’ consent, to increase pressure for settlement. Alternatively, the fact-finders’ recommendations may, by the parties’ agreement, be confidential and non-admissible in any subsequent contested hearing.

Negotiation – Communications for an agreement directly between the parties or through their representatives, intended to reach agreement for the future (transactional negotiation) or to resolve a past dispute (dispute negotiation). In negotiation, the desired objective is an agreement, which is typically, but not always, enforceable under law.

Mediation – Facilitated communications for agreement, resolving a past dispute and/or creating agreement for the future, with the assistance of an impartial facilitator. Decision-making power always resides with the participants in mediation. The desired result in mediation is agreement, sometimes, but not always, enforceable under law. Distinguish between voluntary mediation, mandatory mediation and muscle mediation (or med-rec). Also, distinguish between early neutral evaluation and interest-based mediation.

Conciliation – Conciliation typically consists of independent communications with parties in their separate contexts (their home or work environment), either to improve relations or pave the way for some other process, e.g., mediation.

Mixed Processes

Med-Rec – Mediation-Recommendation begins as mediation, but, if the parties do not come to agreement, the mediator makes a recommendation to the court or other decision-maker as to a recommended resolution.

Med-Arb – Mediation-Arbitration begins the mediation. If the parties fail to come to agreement, the process transforms into the arbitration with the former mediator assuming the role of decision-maker. The process may be modified so that parties may elect out of the process at the close of the mediation component, or the parties may select another arbitrator for their dispute.

Mini-Trial – While there are many types of abbreviated mock or mini trials, they usually include the abbreviated presentation of evidence to one or more expert neutral facilitator(s) and the presence of executives or others with decision-making authority. Following the summarized presentation of evidence and a questioning period, the decision-makers and facilitator will meet for confidential settlement discussions.

Summary Jury Trial – The Summary Jury Trial is another type of mock trial (really a settlement event) using one or more advisory juries. Summary jury trials usually include the abbreviated presentation of complex litigation to advisory juries who then render one or more advisory verdicts for executives with decision-making authority to consider in their settlement discussions, again typically facilitated by an expert advisor or facilitator.

Bibliography

Conflict: Practices in Management, Settlement, and Resolution. (John Burton and Frank Dukes)

http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/index.html

http://www.mediate.com

http://www.adr.org