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How can I resolve a business contract dispute?

When you agree and sign a contract with another business, it is your clear intention to work together to the benefit of both companies in line with the agreement reached.

However, there are occasions where disputes can arise because the information stated in the contract isn’t clear or certain clauses and obligations are not met.

Contract disputes are unwanted and can be extremely frustrating and potentially costly for all parties.

Where possible, you should try to find an amicable solution.

Going through court isn’t necessarily the best option given its time-consuming and costly nature.

That will be your only option if you cannot find common ground with the help of mediation, arbitration or some other form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

How can I resolve a dispute without taking court action?

The very first thing you can do is reopen negotiations with the other party involved, as it shows your willingness to resolve the dispute straight away.

Through these negotiations, assisted by an independent solicitor, you need to openly and honestly express the concerns you have with the contract, whether it’s the nature of a clause included or the ambiguity of the language used.

This will help you build an understanding with the other party, where you can review the contract together and clarify the information in a bid to reach a compromise.

It is important throughout your conversations that everything is documented and detailed, as it clarifies what was said and agreed, easing the risk of further disputes.

If direct negotiations do not work, you can go through the mediation process, where an impartial third party helps you reach an agreement with the other party.

The mediator’s sole objective is to help you have structured discussions in a bid to find a solution to your current dispute that ultimately suits everyone involved.

The mediator will encourage both sides to share their feelings and guide that conversation in a positive direction and support the overall outcome of the mediation session.

What are my options if legal support is required?

If your dispute escalates to a point that legal aid or a legally binding ruling is required, there are options available to you.

One of those is arbitration, where an independent arbitrator is appointed to provide a legally binding ruling in a dispute without the case going to court.

The arbitrator will listen to the views of both sides, collating and reviewing all the information they need to reach a decision.

Both sides are allowed to state their case without interruption, with the arbitrator likely to question both sides to help their own understanding.

They will also allow both sides to question each other based on the evidence presented during the hearing.

Once the hearing concludes, the arbitrator will consider their ruling and you should hear an outcome within an agreed timeframe set by you, the other party and the arbitrator.

If no timeframe is set, the complexity of the case will determine how long it takes. It may take between two to three weeks, but more complicated cases can take up to 45 days.

The last resort to find a conclusive resolution is to take the dispute to a civil court, where a definitive ruling is made.

However, as said above, it can be costly, time-consuming and should be the only option if the other methods haven’t worked or the relationship is completely broken.

Why speaking with a litigation specialist is important for all disputes

Whether you want to resolve your dispute in or out of court, speaking with experienced litigation solicitors early on will help you choose the best approach to reaching a positive solution.

Our expert team is here to help you. We can sit down with you, discuss your current dispute, offering tailored advice and support to help you make the right decisions for resolving your dispute.

However big or small your dispute is, consulting with our specialist team early will help you ease your concerns and give you the confidence to address your current challenges.

For support with your contract dispute, get in touch with us to see how we can help.