Founders

JAMS, the premier mediation and arbitration provider in the United States and ADR Center in Italy announced an agreement to form what will be known as JAMS International ADR Center to provide mediation and arbitration of cross-border disputes and training services worldwide. The first JAMS International ADR Center will have its offices in Rome and New York with additional hearing locations in Geneva, London and Brussels. JAMS plans to establish a network of international centers to provide the same high quality services for which JAMS has become known.

"JAMS has been looking for the right partner in Europe to jump start our entry into that market for some time," said Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO. "Over the past 10 years, ADR Center has demonstrated the same quest for quality and ethics as JAMS, and we know that this first JAMS International ADR Center will thrive under the current leadership."

"We are thrilled to embark on this relationship with JAMS, which has set the gold-standard for mediation and arbitration services," said Giuseppe De Palo, one of ADR Center's Co-Founders along with Leonardo D'Urso, who said: "As the use of arbitration and mediation broadens worldwide, the value proposition that JAMS International ADR Center provides is to help attorneys, businesses, governments and all users of cross-border arbitration and mediation make those processes more effective, efficient, responsive, fair, and less expensive."

"We plan to partner with local and regional mediation and arbitration experts offering high quality resources, training, referrals, and panelists, which will result in improving the outcomes for mediation and arbitration users involved in cross-border disputes," added Poole. "Arbitration and mediation have been used for years, however, our inter-connected world economy has caused the number of commercial disputes to skyrocket in recent years. We want to be part of the solution for those who have become frustrated by ineffective services. Arbitration when used to its full advantage, provides clear benefits of time and cost savings to the sophisticated international user."

The need for more effective mediation and arbitration services has risen due to recent initiatives, including the European Union's Mediation Directive, within member countries fostering increased use of dispute resolution outside the courts.

About JAMS, The Resolution Experts
Founded in 1979, JAMS, The Resolution Experts, is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the United States. With more than 20 Resolution Centers, JAMS and its 250 full-time, exclusive mediators and arbitrators are responsible for resolving thousands of important cases each year. Contact Information: www.jamsinternational.com 1-212-607-2799

The non-profit JAMS Foundation, which plans to further expand its international scope with the creation of the JAMS International ADR Center, is the largest private provider of ADR-related grants in the world. The JAMS Foundation has provided nearly $2 million in grant funding since its inception. More information at www.jamsfoundation.org.


About ADR Center
Established in 1998, ADR Center is Italy's first and largest provider of conflict management and alternative dispute resolution services. Headquartered in Rome near the historic Spanish Steps, ADR Center has grown over the years to become one of the ADR world's most admired mediation providers; by revenue it is now the second largest private organization in Europe. ADR Center has the advantage of a qualified staff and an international team of experts from various professional backgrounds. Contact Information: www.jamsadrcenter.com (+39) 06 6938 0004