Alternative Dispute Resolution in North Carolina: A New Civil Procedure

In recent years leaders in the legal community expressed a new vision for conflict resolution that offered alternatives to traditional litigation through a movement known as "alternative dispute resolution" or simply, "ADR." ADR has become an established part of the legal process with techniques such as mediation and arbitration enabling courts, litigants and private citizens to resolve disputes without resort to costly and time-consuming trials. This success has done much to restore what is "civil" in civil justice. North Carolina has been a pioneer in exploring and adopting effective alternatives to litigation. Many of this state's ADR programs serve as models for other jurisdictions. This book tells the story of how North Carolina emerged as a national leader in the field of ADR, and gives practical information about how programs currently operate. First published in 2003, this book is a compilation of the work of many dedicated individuals who have shared their knowledge and experiences in the development of alternative dispute resolution in North Carolina. This edition updates the book regarding changes in North Carolina's ADR landscape in the past decade.