Kluwer Law International ADR in Business. Practice and Issues across Countries and Cultures: 2

Whether the A stands for appropriate , amicable , or alternative , all out of court dispute resolution modes, collected under the banner term ADR , aim to assist the business world in overcoming relational differences in a truly manageable way. The first edition of this book (2006) contributed to a global awareness that ADR is important in its own right, and not simply as a substitute for litigation or arbitration. Now, drawing on a wealth of new sources and developments, including the flourishing of hybrid forms of ADR, the subject matter has been largely augmented and expanded on two fronts: in-depth analysis (both descriptive and comparative) of methodology, expectations and outcomes and extended geographical coverage across all continents. As a result, in this book twenty-nine intertwined but variegated essays (to use the editor s characterization) provide substantial insight in such specific topics as: ADR s flexible procedures as controlled by the parties; ADR s facilitation of the continuation of relations between the parties; privilege and confidentiality; involvement of non-legal professionals; the identity and the role of the neutral as well as the role of the arbitrator; the implementation of ICC and other international ADR rules; the workings of Dispute Boards and the role of ADR in securing investment and other specific objectives. In its compound thesis growing in relevance every day that numerous dispute resolution methods exist whose goals and developments are varied but fundamentally complementary, the multifaceted approach presented here is of immeasurable value to any business party, particularly at the international level. Practitioners faced with drafting a dispute resolution clause in a contract, or dealing with a dispute that has arisen, will find expert guidance here, and academics will expand their awareness of the issues raised by ADR, in particular as it relates to arbitration. A broad cross section of interested professionals will discover ample material for comparative study of how disputes are approached and resolved in numerous countries and cultures.