In an effort to control the substantial costs of litigation, our business-savvy attorneys and mediators have gained extensive experience in different forms of alternative dispute resolution. We understand that litigation is not always the best solution to a dispute, as there are no “one size fits all” answers to every problem our clients face.
In some cases, this can mean mediation, where the parties agree to work with a neutral, third-party mediator in an attempt to come to a mutual agreement on how to resolve the dispute, either as an alternative to litigation, or in order to put an end to a lawsuit that is already in progress. Mediations are non-binding unless the parties voluntarily reach a settlement.
In other cases, arbitration may be the best course of action. Arbitration can be binding or non-binding, and each type has both strengths and weaknesses, but it can be used by a skillful litigator in order to achieve advantages that might not be available in either a traditional courtroom setting, or in mediation. Essentially, an arbitration proceeding is akin to a streamlined court proceeding and occurs before a single arbitrator or panel of three arbitrators. It can be less expensive even though you have to pay the arbitrator or arbitrators and is typically shorter in duration than litigating in the court system. If the parties signed a contract that agreed to engage in arbitration, then arbitration will be mandatory unless a litigant disputes the enforceability of the clause.
At Harbour Business Law, our attorneys will work with you to pursue the most efficient and cost-effective resolutions to your disputes. Whether it is an issue of an existing dispute that needs to be resolved, or simply crafting mediation or arbitration clauses into your agreements in order to anticipate and gain advantages in litigation scenarios that might arise, our attorneys can help you determine the best course of action to meet your business’s unique needs.
