Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) generally refers to the use of third parties to facilitate, evaluate, or decide a dispute in a cost-effective manner. Different ADR procedures include mediation, mini-trials, moderated settlement conferences, summary jury trials, and binding and non-binding arbitration.
The most common type of ADR process is mediation. In mediation, people in dispute meet with a trained and neutral mediator who assists the parties in reaching their own solution to a problem. During these mediation services, goals are created in order to increase awareness and understanding of the issues.
The following lists the different types of ADR services available through the Texas Dispute Resolution System.
Citizen Referral
Citizens can voluntarily request mediation for almost any type of dispute. The following are just a few examples:
- landlord/tenant
- neighbor
- contractor
- school
- infrastructure
- consumer
- community
- financial
- estate
- business
- peer
Civil ADR
Courts such as the following automatically or selectively refer cases to ADR:
- Federal Courts
- State Courts
- District Courts
- County Courts-at-Law
- County Courts
- Justice of the Peace Courts
- Municipal Courts
Criminal ADR
Courts, District Attorneys, Sheriff's Offices, and Police Departments refer misdemeanors and felonies.
Educational Institutions
Universities and various school districts have created partnerships that enable student, personnel, and/or community matters to be mediated by neutral parties.
Healthcare Mediation
Patients, physicians, insurance companies, hospitals, or other involved parties can request mediation when the dispute involves a healthcare issue or related services.
Intergovernmental
Through contracts and agreements with governmental agencies, various types of disputes are facilitated, mediated, arbitrated, or evaluated.
Rural Mediation
Texas Rural Mediation Services (TRMS) is the only provider of the USDA Mediation Program in Texas. For more information, choose the Rural Mediation Link on the main menu.
