“Beyond the courtroom”: keys to alternative methods for resolving disputes without litigation

The Law Department at CUNEF Universidad organized the seminar “Beyond the courtroom: ADR as a smart alternative to litigation” at the Almansa Campus. This academic event was designed to introduce students of the Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession and Court Representation (MUAPA/P) to current Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, which are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s legal landscape.

The session was delivered by Bárbara Córdoba, a commercial court judge on leave and current Counsel in the Litigation and Regulatory Department at DLA Piper, who shared her professional experience to provide a practical and up-to-date perspective on these tools. During the seminar, attendees explored the advantages of ADR compared to traditional litigation, highlighting its efficiency, flexibility, and ability to reduce the burden on courts.

In this regard, the training was divided into two parts. In the first, the commercial judge outlined the main aspects of the current regulatory framework, decision-making in conflict situations (family businesses, marital environments, key scenarios for applying ADR, etc.), and the role of the mediator in such disputes.

The second part of the seminar focused on practical exercises, allowing students of the Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession and Court Representation (MUAPA/P) to work through various case studies and examine the main alternative dispute resolution methods from different perspectives.

“ADR is an alternative, non-judicial procedure that aims to provide agile, fast, and shared solutions. It is a model that allows judges to avoid direct intervention and enables the parties involved to reach a mutual agreement,” explained Judge Córdoba during her presentation.

This event reflects the University’s commitment to complementing students’ theoretical training with experiences that allow them to gain first-hand insight into the trends and challenges of professional practice. Student participation highlighted the growing interest in alternative approaches that promote agile and consensual conflict resolution.

Through initiatives like this, the institution reinforces its commitment to a legal education aligned with the demands of today’s legal environment, where mediation, arbitration, and other extrajudicial mechanisms are gaining prominence as effective and sustainable solutions.