Abstract: The author deals with a visible English trend of promoting ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) mainly mediation. Arbitration is a long established type of dispute-resolution and offers various benefits. So, the idea is to avoid as much as possible proceedings before the courts, which are becoming a system of last resort, to be pursued only when the ADR have failed or could never be made to work. Courts may and should encourage pursuit a mediation agreement by ordering a stay of proceedings brought in violation of that agreement. Nevertheless, there will always be place to the system of court-based litigation.