Report No. 230

Advantages of ADR

1.51 Advantages of ADR are many - it is less expensive, less timeconsuming, free from technicalities vis-à-vis conducting of cases in law courts, parties involved are free to discuss their differences of opinion without any fear of disclosure before any law courts, and the last, but not the least, there is no winning or losing for any of the parties involved; so, 24their grievances are redressed without causing any damage to the relationship between them.

1.52 Another right and welcome step taken was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986 (CP Act) for settlement of consumer disputes and for matters connected therewith. The aim of the CP Act is to provide for an effective, inexpensive, simple and speedy redressal of consumer grievances, which civil courts are not able to provide.

1.53 The Family Courts Act 1984 (FC Act) was enacted to provide for the establishment of Family Courts with a view to promote conciliation in, and secure speedy settlement of, disputes relating to marriage and family affairs and for matters connected therewith.

1.54 The Law Commission of India in its 59th Report (1974) had also stressed that in dealing with disputes concerning the family, the court ought to adopt a humane approach different from that adopted in ordinary civil proceedings, and that it should make reasonable efforts at settlement before commencement of the trial.