After working for years to build a strong and successful New York business, the last thing you need is to be caught up in a long, drawn-out battle in court. In a perfect world, you’d never encounter problems with employees, clients, contractors, customers, suppliers or anyone involved in your business. Legal disputes are not uncommon in business, which is why you’ll want to learn more about using alternative dispute resolutions that help you find fair solutions without litigation.
If the opposing party agrees, you can meet to negotiate whatever issue is causing your dispute. It’s always best to have an attorney present to represent you for these types of meetings. You can also choose mediation as an alternative dispute resolution option. In this case, you would still meet with the opposing party to discuss your disagreement with a neutral third party facilitating the discussion.
Arbitration is an alternative option that is a lot like litigation
The arbitration process is mostly like a courtroom setting. An arbitrator, like a judge, has the final say. The arbitrator will rule in favor of one party or the other. These decisions are typically binding. Unlike most court proceedings, arbitration takes place in a private setting. It is different from mediation because an arbitrator has the authority to decide a dispute, whereas a mediator is not a decision-maker but a neutral party who helps facilitate discussions.
Cox Padmore Skolnik & Shakarchy LLP provides alternative dispute resolution services to New York clients facing legal problems in business. If your goal is to achieve a fair solution to a complex business problem without having to go to court, you might want to further explore options for mediation, arbitration or negotiation. To discuss your case, you can schedule a meeting via the contact form located on our website.