Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Contemporary World

Abstract

Rule of law and ADR are one of the benchmark in determining the underdeveloped world from the developed. Therefore, in today’s contemporary world, the role and application of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is increasingly attracting attention in legal and academic discourses. Its application in various jurisdictions particularly is said to strengthen the rule of law. From a development perspective, the main aim of ADR is to increase the possibilities and opportunities for the underprivileged to attain maximum social, economic and legal rights in their daily lives. This in turn helps the rule of law to sustain and consolidate contributing to human security, well-being, and dignity- a vital component for progress and socio-economic developed. ADR modes in a supplementary component in legal domain such as commercial arbitration and court-annexed mediation in civil litigation, also provides immense benefits for development.The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the efficacy of ADR modes in different jurisdictions. It then examines how ADR impacts the rule of law. The paper finds that the adoption of various ADR modes has made a considerable impact in various jurisdictions.