ADR Information Session

A practical first step towards identifying the most suitable ADR procedure. The ADR Information Session is designed to provide parties with clear, structured information about the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options available through PMAC.

Two women in business attire reviewing a document in a modern office.

Take the first step toward resolving your dispute efficiently - start with an ADR Information Session.

It serves as an opportunity to better understand how ADR can be used in a specific dispute and, where possible, to reach agreement on the most suitable procedure.

During the session, parties receive guidance from a qualified Neutral, ensuring a professional, informed, and impartial introduction to ADR processes. This allows participants to explore resolution pathways in a low-risk environment before committing to formal proceedings.

Why attend an ADR Information Session?

Expert guidance 

Conducted by a Neutral with relevant expertise in the subject matter of the dispute.

Clarity on ADR options 

Gain a clear understanding of available procedures such as mediation, arbitration, expert determination, hybrid procedures or other tailored mechanisms.

Scope definition 

Helps identify and structure the key elements of the dispute in order to agree on an appropriate ADR procedure to be followed.

Confidential setting 

All discussions remain strictly confidential.

No cost 

The session is free of charge for all participating parties.

Timing

Request ADR Information Session at any time – before or during pending litigation, including proceedings before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), national courts, or any other competent authority, when considering the inclusion of an ADR clause in a contract, or after a dispute has already arisen.

How it works

If all parties agree to participate, PMAC appoints a Neutral with appropriate expertise.

The session is held online, free of charge, and in a structured yet flexible format, allowing open discussion and clarification of expectations.

The session provides information on ADR options and may assist the parties in identifying the most suitable procedure.

Two people collaborate at a desk with a laptop, taking notes and using a calculator.

What comes next?

Following the session, parties may:

Agree on a suitable ADR procedure for their dispute

Proceed to mediation, arbitration, expert determination, hybrid procedures or another agreed mechanism

Continue negotiations with a clearer understanding of their positions

Two people collaborate at a desk with a laptop, taking notes and using a calculator.

Modern conference room with a long table, eight black chairs, and large windows overlooking a city skyline.

Arbitration

PMAC offers confidential, expert-led arbitration for complex patent disputes, providing efficient, cost-effective, and enforceable resolutions for domestic and international cases.

Wooden conference table with brown chairs and a vase of purple and white flow

Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential, non-binding process that helps parties collaboratively resolve disputes with a neutral mediator. PMAC specializes in patent-related mediation, providing a flexible, structured framework that promotes constructive dialogue, preserves business relationships, and delivers efficient, cost-effective resolutions.

A focused woman with glasses, wearing a light blue blouse, is engaged in conversation during a business meeting. A man in a suit listens attentively.

Expert Determination

Expert determination is a flexible and efficient dispute resolution process tailored for cases requiring specialized technical knowledge. Under this method, parties voluntarily agree to submit their dispute to an impartial expert who provides a reasoned determination based on their expertise.

Four people sit around a glass conference table with papers, notebooks, coffee cups, and tablets, engaged in a business meeting, viewed from above.

Hybrid Med-Arb procedure

A Hybrid Med-Arb process begins with mediation to seek a mutually acceptable settlement. If issues remain unresolved, it shifts to arbitration for a binding decision on those specific points. Parties pre-agree on the process and the neutral’s role, ensuring confidentiality, consent, and a seamless transition to final resolution.