Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Abraham Lincoln, 1850. Current Alternative Dispute Resolution Historically courts are a place where people bring their conflicts.
Parties ultimately find a resolution.
In some cases, emotions and hostilities, result in difficult resolutions. Former Chief Justice Warren Burger, among others, suggest it is the legal system's responsibility to seek the most agreeable solution for both parties. Conventional methods such as a trial are a perfectly acceptable means to achieve this goal. Additionally, opportunities are given to the plaintiffs and defendants through settlement conferences or other informal discussions. To fulfill this traditional obligation of our profession, means that we should provide the mechanisms that can produce an acceptable result in the shortest possible time with the least possible expense and with a minimum of stress on the participants.