There are various methods and approaches to resolving disputes in connection with construction projects in UK and Ireland. Most significant are litigation, arbitration and other traditional legal proceeding on one side and Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) on the other one. Traditionally, disputes that could not be resolved directly by the parties involved in the disputes were either dealt with by the courts - litigation or referred to arbitration. Alternative disputes resolution is the generally term used to describe a number of formal, non-adversarial methods of resolving disputes without resorting to the courts or arbitration. ADR includes mediation, conciliation, mini-trial and adjudication.