Because judges prefer cases to be resolved out of court, many maritime cases can be mediated instead of litigated. Many maritime contracts call for alternative dispute resolution to be used if a dispute arises, and these cases may require mediation. However, parties are also free to enter into mediation to resolve other claims even if there is not a contract clause that requires it. Mediation has successfully been used to resolve international disputes, labor disputes, injury claims, breach of contract issues and many other maritime cases.