One of the things I hope to achieve with this website is to bring the lesser known procedures, which can help society, to the forefront of everyday knowledge. As such a good place to start is to introduce one of those awful three-letter acronyms, ADR. What is ADR? Standing for Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR is a process whereby a safe environment is created for disputants to resolve their differences and diffuse tensions; resulting in a best fit agreement that will enable life to continue without either party feeling hard-done by.

ADR in Ireland is still laying its foundations, in terms of being recognised as a valid route to resolving problems. In other highly successful countries such as the US and Canada, ADR is a way of life and works harmoniously with the legal system to empower people to help themselves. One of the biggest problems with the legal process is the handover to a third party, of personal affairs, and as such the way in which these affairs are dealt with in an impersonal manner. Many people leave legal process, feeling aggrieved or very unfortunate – just read the comments on www.rate-your-solicitor.com and you’ll see that there’s not a single good solicitor in the country if you take everyone’s experience as fact. Obviously this is not the case and there are many dedicated and gifted professionals within the Irish legal system but the problem is that most outcomes are not an agreement between both parties involved but rather an enforced judgement.

Applying ADR to a vast number of cases such as marital breakdown, workplace disputes, financial troubles, community issues, to name but a few can produce a working and highly satisfactory compromise that can be binding and enforceable if the parties so desire it to be. At no stage is there an absolute requirement for solicitors to get involved, although in terms of marriage separation agreements and such it may be advised that a legal professional should advise on any agreement reached and thus ADR can compliment the legal process and vice versa. Above all ADR is an involved process, enabling parties to resolve their differences and at a fraction of the cost of the legal route. A viable, effective, and suitable alternative to problem resolution exists; it is ADR, encompassing all forms of mediation and it is available throughout Ireland. If you have any questions about ADR then please feel free to drop me a line on jbrazil @ jonathanbrazil.com and I’ll be happy to answer any questions that you might have.