April 20, 2026
In “Civility Signals Strength in ADR,” Gina Mills emphasizes that while ADR is designed to be less adversarial than traditional court proceedings, its effectiveness depends heavily on how parties and counsel conduct themselves. Civility, meaning respectful, composed, and professional communication, is not just a matter of etiquette, but a practical tool that can directly influence outcomes. Far from signaling weakness, the article explains that civility can strengthen advocacy by improving communication, preserving credibility, and creating the conditions necessary for productive negotiation.
The article also cautions that overly aggressive or hostile conduct can have the opposite effect, making resolution more difficult, increasing costs, and undermining progress toward settlement. In contrast, a civil and professional approach helps maintain dialogue, reduce unnecessary conflict, and support more efficient resolution of disputes.
Civility in ADR is a strategic advantage. Civility helps parties reach quicker resolutions, reduce legal costs, preserve important business relationships, and ease the emotional strain of dispute resolution, while also strengthening an advocate’s credibility in the eyes of both neutrals and opposing counsel.
Please read the full article here [1].