ARBITRATION
An out of court proceeding to resolve a civil matter. This is a form of alternative dispute resolution. Usually one or more unrelated third parties, called arbitrators, hear a matter and make a decision that may or may not be binding on the parties.

MEDIATION
Often referred to as alternative dispute resolution is intended as a more efficient method of resolving a disagreement without going to court. In mediation, the parties are assisted by a neutral third party (mediator) who attempts to help them reach a compromise. Unlike a judge the mediator's decision is typically not binding on the parties.

ALTERNATVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
A generic phrase used to describe a variety of mechanisms to settle matters out of court. ADR includes negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Sometimes a court orders the parties to attempt to settle their matters by way of an ADR mechanism.