Experience has demonstrated that civil disputes are often resolved more effectively and more efficiently through mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) than through traditional adversarial proceedings in court. Accordingly, this Part is established to authorize and encourage referral of disputes to ADR to the greatest extent practicable in the trial courts of the unified court system.
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 22 § 60.1