Alternative Dispute Resolution

Unified Family Court Pilot Program


As required by RCW 26/12/802(4), the Office of the Administrator for the court shall publish and disseminate a state-approved listing of definitions of non-adversarial methods of dispute resolution so that court officials, practitioners and users can choose the most appropriate process for the matter at hand.

Alternative Dispute Resolution


The term Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is used to describe a number of problem-solving methods or techniques. ADR can be initiated by parties to resolve disputes without relying on traditional court processes or initiated by the court to settle disputes prior to trial.

Other Resources


Learn more about ADR by reading about types of mediation and arbitration. You can also view information on dispute resolution centers in Pierce County and the State of Washington.