In contrast a great variety of alternative dispute resolution methods including dispute adjudication are available. However, in reality on the German domestic level alternative dispute resolution methods are rarely used. The reasons for this are not very clear. To some extent baseless fears and irrational anxieties and actual lack of persuasive arguments in favour of alternative dispute resolution methods are certainly contributing factors. There is also insufficient and inadequate information about dispute adjudication. Moreover the term alternative dispute resolution and its subtitles such as dispute review and dispute adjudication are more or less vague and lack precision. Probably, and more importantly, civil law practitioners frequently do not have encouraging experiences with alternative dispute resolution methods apart from arbitration.

Last, but not least, the great variety of suggested methods causes perplexity. There is statutory adjudication4 and contractual adjudication.5 Moreover the ICC has Combined Dispute Boards6 and local institutions have published adjudication rules.7 Fast track arbitration8 and dispute adjudication are similar features. There is also the Italian arbitrato irrituale