Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

To many of you unfamiliar with alternative dispute resolution, arbitration may be starting to sound a heck of a lot like litigation. The key difference is that arbitration usually takes place behind closed doors and the arbitrator's decision must remain secret unless the parties agree otherwise. (FindLaw UK)

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR; known in some countries, such as Australia, as external dispute resolution) includes dispute resolution processes and techniques that act as a means for disagreeing parties to come to an agreement short of litigation. It is a collective term for the ways that parties can settle disputes, with (or without) the help of a third party. (Wikipedia)

Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") refers to any means of settling disputes outside of the courtroom. ADR typically includes early neutral evaluation, negotiation, conciliation, mediation, and arbitration. (law.cornell.edu)

A letter before claim (sometimes known as a ‘letter before action’) is a letter putting a person on notice that court proceedings may be brought against them. These days the courts take the view that litigation should be a last resort and, therefore, parties are encouraged to resolve their disputes at an early stage by communicating with each other, providing information and documentation to each other and considering alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures. (In Brief)