Hertfordshire Alternative Dispute Resolution Services ADR.
Arbitration Solicitors Herts.

Negotiations fail for a variety of reasons and often become hostile. When parties simply cannot agree and a dispute seems to be never ending, costing in time, energy, money and business relationships – litigation seems to be the only way forward, or is it?

Alternative Dispute Resolution. ADR is a system of settling a dispute without a lawsuit, court case or trial. Alternative dispute methods include mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and settlement; ADR is far less formal than the normal legal process and generally involves the appointment of a third party such as an Alternative Dispute Solicitor. The ADR lawyer would preside over a hearing with all parties. The benefit of ADR is the privacy and cost effectiveness without Court litigation. The final result must be based on compromise because there is no legal ruling but an agreement is legally recorded.

The Civil Procedure Rules emphasise the overriding objective of dealing with cases in a cost effective manner and encourage avoiding trial where possible, It may be a dispute over a neighbour's hedge or drive, a matter that would cost a great deal of money to settle through the court process in addition to solicitors fees for amending deeds etc. Quite often, even after the issue is settled, the result makes no difference to either parties life … other than putting to bed an age old argument over something that many would consider trivial, yet to the parties involved, it is a matter of principal and should be settled.

More complicated disputes are generally those related to business and call upon Commercial Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution.

It is important to seek advice on litigation, mediation, arbitration, negotiation and adjudication.
Commercial disputes are not only costly and time consuming but place stress upon business parties especially where long-standing trading relationships are concerned and indeed threatened.

ADR isn't always as simple an ADR solicitor sitting between two parties and encouraging them to shake hands and make friends. It may be necessary to utilise litigation and/or mediation procedures to resolve disputes. It is likely that alternative dispute resolution involves contractual issues and compensation claims for damages.

The difference between going to court, suing and counter-suing where costs and legal fees could be higher that the contractual issue itself, as opposed to calling upon an ADR solicitor to preside over the dispute, is not only a financial one, but also speeds the dispute resolution enabling both parties to continue their obligations or seek new contractors.

It is clear that neither party may appoint their own solicitor and both parties need to agree on a solicitor that specialises in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

It might be wise to take an equidistant town or city from each party and select an ADR solicitor in that area. At least both parties have the same distance to travel !

Willingness to bring the dispute to a speedy conclusion is not only an economical choice but showing willingness and holding your hand out to help the casuse is crucial.

If one or both parties simply want to win, or have entered into an ADR to save court costs and legal fees, but want to win, may not save money because the process will drag on and time costs money.

Take on board, there is an issue, it has escalated to a dispute, neither party can agree and it is preventing you from moving on.

Be prepared and willing to compromise for a speedy and more economical result.