The growth from 3 minor dispute mediation centers in 1971 to more than 180 in 1982 indicates a significant dissatisfaction with the legal system's adversarial approach to resolving disputes. The growth also indicates that citizens believe that a simpler, cheaper, and faster method than the present system must exist to resolve the thousands of everyday disputes and quarrels between neighbors, friends, landlords and tenants, and family members. The alternative dispute resolution movement is also permitting attorneys to define their roles better. The dispute resolution programs vary greatly with respect to the types of disputes handled, the sources of referrals, the sponsorship, and the format used for resolving disputes. Variations also exist in staff and in training. An important role for the programs is that of referrals to other community agencies, since disputes often arise from long term problems that require continuing attention. The success of alternative dispute resolution will depend on both an informed public and on the professionals who operate the centers. Citizens need to know that various components of the legal system have legitimized the alternative programs and need to be aware of the programs' availability and usefulness.