Effective dispute resolution is an important attribute of stable community relations. In many western societies, however, traditional court systems have proven incapable of handling the increasing numbers of cases before them. The costs of formal adjudication have also been prohibitive for many groups and individuals. In an attempt to advance a more equitable and more responsive means of resolving community and interpersonal conflicts, mediation and arbitration strategies have been developed in many communities. Gelblum's article describes the role of dispute centers as an institutional source of conflict resolution. These organizations provide a framework for cooperative, negotiated dispute settlement. The Chapel Hill Dispute Settlement Center is presented as a case study of effective community conflict mitigation
