What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) primarily about?

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) primarily refers to methods for resolving conflicts outside of the traditional court system, focusing specifically on techniques such as arbitration and mediation. These processes are designed to be more flexible, cost-effective, and quicker than litigation, allowing parties to reach amicable solutions without the need for a formal trial.

Arbitration involves a neutral third party who listens to both sides and makes a binding decision, while mediation encourages collaboration and communication between disputing parties to help them come to a mutually agreeable solution. This emphasis on collaboration and the use of informal processes differentiates ADR from litigation, which is a more adversarial approach.

The other options describe processes related to traditional judicial proceedings. Litigation is defined by formal court rules and procedures, while escalating conflicts for judicial intervention or relying on formal court processes does not embody the essence of ADR, which seeks to resolve disputes more amicably and privately. Thus, the focus on arbitration and mediation establishes why this answer accurately captures what ADR is about.