As a general rule, arbitration is a good solution. Many industry giants, such as General Mills Inc., Philip Morris Inc., McDonald's Corp. and Bank of America, have already signed Y2K-specific ADR commitments. Already, at least one case has demonstrated the value of using ADR to solve Y2K disputes. The decision in favor of ASE was reached using ADR after only 12 days of testimony. The basic idea of ADR is simple.
Arbitration is particularly attractive to many companies, since it can save time and money.
The average ADR process saves clients more than 60 percent of traditional litigation costs and is generally completed within 90 to 100 days, experts say. The group last May established an arbitration program geared specifically toward solving Y2K disputes. A site sponsored by Next Millennium Consulting Inc., in Bethesda, Md., and The Information Technology Association of America, in Arlington, Va., offers an interesting list of the legal wrangling already taking place concerning Y2K disputes. Endispute Inc., an ADR company helping to smooth corporate, government and individual disputes since 1979. Besides saving considerable time and money by using ADR to fix Y2K legal spats, companies can avoid the hard feelings and disruption of business relations that are also likely to occur during lengthy litigation.