ADR

An initialism for Alternative Dispute Resolution, a court process in which the Court orders the parties to resolve their difference either in mediation or by an alternative proceeding. ADR is governed by ARFLP Rule 67 and consists of four categories: (1) collaborative divorce, (2) arbitration, (3) private mediation, or (4) settlement conference. There is a fifth option that is quite common: Mediation with a judge pro tem. A judge pro tem is a lawyer who is appointed to carry out judge-like roles; most commonly, in family law, this means the lawyer serves a court-appointed mediator once a month. In that role, the judge pro tem is assigned to mediate certain cases and help the parties reach an agreement.