These are hybrid variations of two traditional ADR approaches, incorporating both arbitration and mediation, with the same person acting as arbitrator and mediator.

In Arb-Med an arbitration will be held but the arbitrator's award is placed in a sealed envelope, kept by the arbitrator.  He will then act as a mediator.  If the mediation does not result in a settlement, the arbitration award will be published.

In contrast, in Med-Arb, the mediation occurs first. If it doesn't result in a settlement, it is followed by an arbitration hearing, at the end of which he will publish his award.

Both approaches seek to address the chance of mediation not achieving a settlement.