Successful ADR programs in different fields have many benefits, including:

• empowering people to resolve their own disputes
  
• promoting more reasonable and peaceful behavior in the community
  
• cutting costs
  
• saving money
  
• healing rifts between people and restoring relationships
  
• making courts more user friendly
  
• reducing congested court dockets
  
• involving more people in government decision making
  
• enhancing the public’s access to justice

Not every case is appropriate for ADR. Conflicts that need to create or change a law, receive public airing, address serious criminal matters, or set or challenge a precedent established by a prior lawsuit should be heard by a court. Likewise, cases involving domestic violence might not be appropriate for mediation, and Maryland Rules of Procedure, Rule 9-205(b)(2) states that the court shall not order mediation in cases where physical or sexual abuse has been alleged in good faith.