Court is costly and time consuming. If you have a dispute that you want to resolve yourself, we recommend the following
- Compile all of your evidence regarding the dispute. If it is a payment dispute, you should gather everything you can find, such as invoices and communications regarding the dispute, to help your case.
- If you have a contract with the other party, you should carefully check the contract to see if they have breached it.
- You should talk with the other party, highlighting your evidence and what you wish to gain from the dispute. Try to think of creative solutions where both parties win.
Try to remain polite and professional in all of your communications, and do not lay blame on the other party. The goal is to get the other party on your side and to resolve the dispute. Using emotional language will only serve to lessen the chances the dispute is resolved.
- If email does not seem to be working, it can often be a good idea to call or meet face to face. Listen to what the other party has to say and offer suggestions and advice.
- If you reach a solution before this, ensure that it is in writing and that both parties sign the solution.
- Try alternative dispute resolution methods, with litigation a last resort method. Negotiation or mediation are often good ways to resolve disputes.
Finally, if you have exhausted the above steps, we recommend consulting with a legal professional. A lawyer can provide you with all your options so you can make an informed decision of where to go next.
If you would like tailored, expert legal advice regarding dispute resolution processes, contact a member of our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team.