Legal disputes are something that no one wants to find themselves in, and they can avoid them. However, it can often happen, whether you do everything to avoid it or not. Resolving these disputes often requires a helping hand from legal professionals, and this can vary in specialty depending on the legal dispute itself.
With that in mind, if you find yourself in a situation where you need help legally, here are a few steps that are required to help resolve a legal dispute in the future.
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Understand the dispute resolution methods available
First and foremost, you want to make sure you have a good understanding of what dispute resolution methods are commonly used.
Firstly, there’s negotiation, which involves direct communication between parties so that a mutually agreeable solution can be met.
Mediation is also a commonly used approach with a neutral third party involved to facilitate communication and to work towards a settlement. Arbitration is where a neutral arbitrator reviews evidence and makes a binding decision.
Finally, you have a litigation where the dispute is taken to court and formal proceedings are involved, usually with a judge’s decision. This is something you might need help with from Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco.
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Preparing for the dispute resolution
To prepare for the dispute resolution, it’s good to identify the core issues at hand, gather evidence, and then seek legal advice.
From here, you’ll consult with the legal professionals, consider the costs, and weigh up the pros and cons of taking it further if necessary.
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Navigating the resolution process
Navigating the resolution process is probably the most complex and lengthy part of the process. You’ve got the Alternative Dispute Resolution, where you do all of the above before litigation.
Litigation is often actioned when all other methods fail and a formal court proceeding is necessary. It’s at this point that you want to maintain all open communications so that there are opportunities for settlement or further negotiation to be explored.
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Key considerations
Some key considerations to think about when it comes to resolving legal disputes are any time sensitivity, where there might be deadlines to meet.
Document management is helpful for gathering evidence and keeping it organized. You also want to look at strategic planning so that you can possibly develop an action plan if the situation evolves further.
Be sure to stay informed, keeping up to date with legal procedures and changes that may occur in the law that affect your dispute resolution.
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Finalizing the resolution
Finally, a formal agreement should be drafted and documented once a resolution is reached. Monitoring the implementation of an agreement is important in order to tackle any further issues that may arise down the line. That’s why legal representation is good to have.
All of these tips above should help you if you’re struggling with dispute resolution at any point.
