Evaluating environmental dispute resolution

Abstract

The use of environmental dispute resolution (EDR) has become increasingly popular over the past decade. There has been much discussion in the literature of the advantages of EDR over conventional forms of dispute resolution. However there has been little or no evaluation of how well it works. This paper examines two questions related to EDR. First, has any evaluation of EDR been undertaken in Australia? Second, what factors need to be considered when designing an evaluation process? A proposed model for EDR evaluation is provided along with some methodological suggestions.