Private judges have experience in a variety of alternative dispute resolution methods.
The arbitrator decides cases based on the evidence presented by the parties but the procedure is more informal and usually less protracted than taking such a matter to trial. Trial court evidentiary rules need not be followed and the arbitrator has more freedom in choosing a remedy than the trial judge. Awards can be binding or non binding. In a strict mediation, the mediator uses facilitative techniques to enable the parties to negotiate with each other satisfactorily, but the mediator does not impose any solution and maintains strict impartiality. A settlement officer also seeks to achieve settlements but is often chosen for his or her experience in adjudicating the type of case the parties have so that this experience can be used to guide the parties to a reasonable settlement.