The National Arbitration Forum Blog

In the wake of economic crisis and declining state and local revenues, courts face overcrowding, budget shortfalls, and staff reductions while court filings are increasing. And, the reality of these court-docket backlogs translates into denial of quick and timely justice.

For business, justice delayed is justice denied. It is no secret that the longer a civil case drags on in court, the more expensive it will be--and with no guarantee of a more "just" result. Businesses need to be able to resolve their differences in a civil, fair and speedy way. If the courts cannot do it because of financial shortcomings, business litigants will increasingly turn to private arbitration or alternative dispute resolution.

-Philip G. Kircher (Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied, Risk & Insurance, June 2009)