Resolução Alternativa de Litígios - RAL (Alternative Dispute Resolution)

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the option available to all consumers to rely on official entities for assistance in resolving or guiding a dispute before initiating formal legal proceedings in court.

As a general rule, the procedure works as follows: the customer asks an impartial third party to act as an intermediary between themselves and the business involved in the complaint. This intermediary may suggest a solution to the dispute, impose a binding decision on both parties, or bring the parties together to help them reach a mutual agreement.

You might also recognize the concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution by other terms, such as 'mediation', 'conciliation', 'arbitration', or 'consumer dispute resolution board'.

Overall, Alternative Dispute Resolution is typically less expensive, less formal, and much faster than traditional court litigation.

CNIACC - Centro Nacional de Informação e Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo (www.cniacc.pt).