We recognize that litigation or a contested trial is often not in the best interests of the client or the best way to resolve a dispute. Our lawyers have the best experience in all methods of alternative dispute resolution.
Mediation is the most common type of alternative dispute resolution. The main benefits of mediation are that the process is overseen by an independent, third -party mediator and it is a confidential process and parties can achieve a resolution without the considerable expense and time involved in court proceedings. It also helps to preserve or repair a working relationship and offer solutions that court proceedings aren’t able to (For example, including commercial terms of a forward -looking business relationship), and, if successful, result in a binding and enforceable agreement.
Mediation has a fairly high success rate, whether settlement is reached on the day or in the aftermath. In the event a settlement is not arrived at through mediation, it can help to narrow the issues between the parties thereby helping to narrow the issues between the parties thus accelerating the litigation process thereafter.
Our services include: advising on the mediation process, arranging the mediation including liaising with potential mediators and finalizing terms, hosting mediation at our office space, drafting documents for use at the mediation liaising with the other side to ensure the correct documents are available to the mediator, attending the mediation, often including orally setting out the clients’ position at the opening plenary session and advising on the settlement and how to document it.