Alternative Dispute Resolution Awareness, Accessibility, and Utilization among Justice Stakeholders

Abstract

This study investigated how justice stakeholders in Quirino Province understood, accessed, and utilized Alternative Dispute Resolution as a practical pathway for resolving suitable disputes outside full adversarial proceedings. Using a cross-sectional explanatory pathway design with construct validation and utilization mapping, the study measured ADR awareness, accessibility, and utilization through a validated researcher-developed instrument. The findings showed that ADR awareness was very high, indicating strong stakeholder familiarity with ADR modes, principles, benefits, and appropriate referral. ADR accessibility was also rated high, although minor concerns were noted in referral clarity, availability of public information, and procedural convenience. ADR utilization remained favorable, particularly in encouraging settlement and referring parties to appropriate mechanisms, but slightly lower scores were observed in settlement documentation, post-settlement follow-through, and compliance monitoring. Structural model results confirmed that ADR awareness significantly influenced accessibility and utilization, while accessibility exerted a stronger direct effect on utilization. The mediation result further showed that awareness improved utilization partly by strengthening access conditions. Importance-performance analysis identified referral flow, settlement documentation, follow-through, public information, and compliance monitoring as priority areas for improvement. The study concludes that ADR practice in Quirino Province is positively established among justice stakeholders, but its continued effectiveness requires stronger procedural systems, capacity-building, coordinated referral mechanisms, and simple monitoring tools to ensure that settlement efforts lead to dependable justice outcomes.