With the increase in class actions and recent publicity surrounding the fall of multi-million dollar empires and their executives, it would seem that litigation is becoming big business in Australia. Many believe that we are heading towards the lofty litigious heights of America.

The danger of all of this is that we can lose perspective and not see the bigger, and more realistic, picture at a more individual level. It is important to remember that your lawyer seeks the best possible outcome when it comes to your legal matter and, more often than not, you may never have to step inside a court to achieve it.

Mediation, arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) are the quietly burgeoning area of legal work for the 21st century. Mediation and other informal methods of dispute resolution provide a practical, cost-effective alternative for many clients who are experiencing problems with a difficult customer, a breakdown in a partnership or joint venture agreement, or that unreliable supplier affecting business operations.

It is important to remember in situations like these that your lawyer can assist you by explaining options that will help you resolve disputes without damaging important business relationships. There’s no victory in being compensated for that one deal that went bad if it means you will lose a valuable business contact and any future revenue in the process.

When you sit down with your lawyer, make sure you explore all the options available for resolving your dispute. Litigation is not the only language of lawyers.

More information

Useful web links
www.liv.asn.au/directory/mediators
www.vcat.vic.gov.au/CA256DBB0022825D/HomePage?ReadForm&1=Home~&2=~&3=~