Litigating a contract dispute can be an expensive and time-consuming affair. In addition, none of the parties to the dispute has much control of the situation once it is in court. Fortunately, there is a less adversarial and quicker way of resolving such a dispute – through mediation.
Mediation can provide a viable and efficient alternative to resolving your contract dispute and save you time and money, among other benefits. Here is what you need to know about this alternative method of dispute resolution.
Mediation allows parties to reach a mutual agreement
Mediation involves a third party, known as a mediator, whose role is to bring all the warring parties together to find a solution that works for everyone. The mediator is neutral and does not represent anyone’s interest. They only act as a bridge connecting the parties and help engage in productive discussions that will help resolve the matter at hand.
Why should you opt for mediation as a solution?
Besides saving you the costs of a lengthy court process, mediation can help you maintain good working relationships with the other parties to the dispute. Quite often, litigation causes bad blood among the parties, which can irretrievably break down business relations.
It also gives you the power to resolve the dispute in the best way you see fit instead of leaving it to the court where the outcome is uncertain.
Will mediation work for you?
Mediation can be a rewarding way of resolving a contract dispute, but it does not work for everyone. For instance, if the other party is unwilling to engage you or is uninterested in resolving issues out of court, mediation may not work.
Disputes are common among contracting parties. Therefore, you should be prepared to deal with them in the most efficient way that protects your interests, inside or outside the court.