General Counsel

ADR - Alternative Dispute Resolution (RESOLVE)

What is RESOLVE?

RESOLVE is the National Archives' alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program.

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?

ADR is a way of resolving disputes in a consensual manner. By working with a neutral third-party, parties to a dispute are empowered to craft their own solution to their conflict. ADR is fully voluntary and the parties retain control over the process. The underlying principle of ADR is that parties forfeit no rights and lose no legal alternative otherwise available to them if they use ADR to resolve a dispute.
ADR is not a cure for all ills, but it is a powerful tool which can offer a fair and just means to resolve disputes, reduce costs, enhance performance, and, most importantly, foster a healthy and enjoyable workplace that will enable us to serve the public better.
ADR has been successfully applied throughout the Federal government in a wide array of dispute areas, including Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) actions, employment actions, performance matters, and other workplace issues.
The Archivist has declared that it should be "the National Archives' considered objective to resolve disputes at the earliest opportunity and in the manner most conducive to fostering healthy continuing relationships in the workplace. It is my hope that all of us at the National Archives will work to realize this objective by becoming familiar with ADR techniques and applying them as the National Archives' preferred dispute resolution practice."

How may I receive more information about RESOLVE?

Additional sources of information about ADR:

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