The decision may be legally binding. Home Top of Page Ask a lawyer Choosing the Right Program Contact and compare several ADR programs to find the one best suited to your needs. Many dispute resolution programs are completely voluntary. Whether to use them is your decision. In some states, however, a court may order you to try arbitration or mediation.
Some companies require consumers to arbitrate their disputes and waive their right to go to court.
Check your contract or product packaging for details. Either may take place in person, by phone, or by video conferencing. In some cases, you'll begin with mediation, and if no decision is reached, you'll progress to arbitration. One of the benefits of ADR is that disputes are usually resolved more quickly than a court proceeding. Many programs offer lists of neutral third parties from which to choose.