Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to a range of methods used to resolve disputes outside of traditional courtrooms. Its history can be traced back to ancient civilizations where various forms of mediation and arbitration were employed to resolve conflicts. Mediation a form of ADR has roots in Ancient Greece where impartial third parties facilitated negotiations between disputing parties. In ancient China mediators known as "village elders" played a similar role in resolving conflicts within communities. Arbitration another form of ADR can be traced back to the Middle Ages where merchants sought resolution through private forums rather than relying on the often unreliable and biased court systems available at the time. Commercial arbitration became more prevalent during the 19th century with the establishment of organizations like the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the American Arbitration Association (AAA). In the 20th century ADR gained momentum as a viable alternative to traditional litigation. This was driven by concerns over the cost time and complexity associated with court proceedings. The development of formalized mediation processes and the introduction of legislation endorsing ADR further contributed to its growth. Today ADR encompasses various methods such as negotiation mediation arbitration and conciliation. It is widely used in diverse areas including business disputes family law labor disputes and international conflicts. ADR offers parties more control over the resolution process confidentiality flexibility and often results in faster and less adversarial outcomes compared to litigation.