While there may be some individuals out there who enjoy conflict, chances are you would rather enjoy your valuable free time thinking about anything other than what is going to happen in the courtroom with a case set for courtroom battle months ahead. Litigation is extremely effective for resolving many cases and could be the best course of action for you, especially with an experienced and aggressive business litigation attorney like Shane Coons behind you.
Alternative dispute resolution is worth exploring in many cases first though. While processes such as mediation may be considered trendy, the ‘evidence’ shows that they are not only generally effective, but in the majority of cases they work. Along with arbitration and judicial reference, mediation is proven to be more affordable in most cases, and scheduling is much more flexible. Rather than dealing with the congested court system the parties involved and the mediator are usually able to convene much more quickly and see a resolution reached in a fraction of time, in comparison to litigation.
Mediators usually meet with the parties involved ahead of time separately, allowing them to understand both sides of the case and get a feel for what brought everyone to the point of a legal dispute. They may also at that point begin taking notes about what types of mediation processes would work best for a resolution. Mediation allows for a much less adversarial approach, although the disputing parties may have plenty of anger, frustration, and resentment to express; however, they will be airing everything out in a much more concentrated amount of time, motivated to work out the issues, and with the mediator helping bring the end goal (a reasonable settlement) back to the forefront when the parties involved stray far off topic or come to an impasse.
One of the keys to opening discussion up more easily is a relaxed setting, with the mediator working with the parties involved to guide rather than decide for them. The process may even take place on weekends or in the evenings, depending on busy schedules. And while the casual atmosphere is what makes the mediation work in many cases, the most critical factor is that everyone shows up ready to make a deal—and in many cases, preserve the future of what may be a valued and long-term relationship that has hit a major (but possibly only brief) bump.
Without the formality of the courtroom and a judge looming over, the disputing parties are able to collect in one room and hash out the details of the case. With the guidance of the mediator, they will start with the smaller aspects of the dispute, working their way up to the larger and more controversial features of the case once they have all loosened up. Once a settlement has been decided on, the mediator can draw up the final settlement documents and submit them to the court.
If you have a legal issue and want to learn more about the best alternative dispute resolution process for your case, please call Shane Coons now at 949-333-0900 or feel free to email us at Shane.Coons@seclawoffices.com.