Conflict is a normal, natural consequence of social interaction.
It is to everyone's advantage, therefore, that individuals within society are able to find ways to resolve conflict which are generally peaceful, productive and sensitive to the needs of the parties involved. The factors which appear to be most persuasive for those choosing not to use the formal legal system were the costs of legal representation and an expectation that the legal system could not adequately meet their needs. Our courts are now so over-burdened as to be effectively unavailable to huge segments of our citizenry. Many of the social and cultural institutions which traditionally offered support, direction and conflict resolution for individuals and families have been undermined or no longer exist. Immigrant and ethnically diverse communities are growing in numbers, education, length of residency and sophistication.