What is Dispute Resolution?

Conflict. It may not be the most pleasant part of everyday life, but it’s often present. From arguments with loved ones to disagreements with your boss, conflict shows up in various forms.

In many cases, conflict is healthy. It’s an essential part of building relationships, and most of the time, it’s easily resolved. However, sometimes two parties need a hand to settle their differences. That’s where dispute resolution comes in.

Dispute resolution is the process of helping citizens or corporations settle their differences. But what is dispute resolution as a career path? And how do you land a job in the field? In this short guide, we’ll explore what dispute resolution is, how you can study it, and where it can take you.

Dispute Resolution, Explained

In general, the term “dispute resolution” refers to all official settlements of conflict—up to and including going to court.

In practice, most people use the term to mean “alternative dispute resolution,” or ADR. ADR takes an approach to conflict resolution that helps the two parties stay out of court, avoiding the potential for long trials and hefty legal fees by agreeing on an issue that suits both sides.

There are several different types of dispute resolution professionals, including:

• Negotiators
• Mediators
• Arbitrators

Perhaps most importantly, these professionals offer a nonbinary alternative to the judicial system. While judges choose a winner and a loser, ADR can be more nuanced, allowing each party to feel satisfied with the results.

Studying Dispute Resolution

As a dispute resolution professional, you’ll need to excel in navigating conflict. But that’s not the only prerequisite.

As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes, you’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree to work in conflict resolution. While any major could apply, some degrees are more relevant to the role of a mediator or negotiator, such as:

• Business
• Psychology
• Pre-law

It may also be helpful to complete a dispute resolution program at a post-secondary institution. These specialized programs can give you classroom knowledge and real-world experience to help you in your dispute resolution career.

Careers in Dispute Resolution

If you want to work as a neutral third party and resolve disputes, you have a few career options.

Negotiator

Negotiation is the first step of the dispute resolution process; in fact, in some ways, negotiators aim to avoid conflict altogether. Before arguments become heated (or even before they begin), negotiators work with both sides to draft an agreement that keeps everyone happy.

Most negotiators work in corporate settings, helping to write contracts or come up with the terms of a merger that satisfies both parties. However, some negotiators also work in the civil sphere to resolve disputes between neighbors or spouses.

Mediator

Mediation is a step up from negotiation. If you are interested in how to be a mediator, keep reading to know more about the job's responsibilities. 

Mediators work closely with both sides of a dispute, bringing them together to help them come to a consensus and settlement. Unlike negotiation, which can be preemptive, a mediation program is employed once a dispute arises.

A mediator’s decision is not usually legally binding. In other words, if one or both parties dislike the terms of the proposed agreement, they can look to other forms of dispute resolution.