Peterborough office

48 Broadway, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE1 1YW

01733 346 333 01733 562 338 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk

Stamford office

10 Ironmonger Street, Stamford Lincolnshire, PE9 1PL

01780 752 066 01780 762 774 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk

Oakham office

66 South Street, Oakham Rutland, LE15 6BQ

01572 757 565 01572 720 555 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk

Market Deeping office

27a Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA

01778 230 120 01778 230 129 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk

Bourne office

11a North Street, Bourne, PE10 9AE

01778 230 030 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk
  • Services
  • Sectors
  • Our Team
  • About us
  • Insights & Legal
  • Legal Q&As
  • Useful information
  • Contact us
  • Careers
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

    When a dispute occurs, whether in business or personal life it can be stressful and you may need support to find a resolution.

    However, having a dispute does not always mean going to court. At Hegarty we offer alternative means of dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration. This can save time and money and can help put the dispute behind the parties, whilst preserving valuable relationships.

    Mediation

    Mediation can occur in a dispute at the very outset before litigation is commenced and is a meeting amongst those in dispute, their representatives and a mediator to discuss settlement. The mediator’s role is to help the parties explore settlement options.

    A mediation requires a relatively small amount of preparation time and can be scheduled quickly. Statistics show that the majority of business disputes and personal injury cases end in written settlement agreements.

    Personal Individual 1

    Arbitration

    Arbitration is the referral of a dispute to one or more impartial persons for a final determination. This is a private and confidential exercise which is designed for quick, practical and economic settlement.

    Specific provisions can be added to the arbitration agreement to reflect the needs of the parties.

    Personal Dispute 2

    How Does Mediation Differ From Arbitration?

    Arbitration is ordinarily a less formal litigation; mediation is even less formal than arbitration. A mediator (like an arbitrator) does not have the power to render a binding decision. A mediator does not hold a hearing as to evidence as does an arbitrator, but instead conducts informal, separate and joint meetings with the parties to understand the facts, issues and positions of the parties.

    Arbitrators hear and receive evidence in a joint hearing on which they then provide a final and binding decision. This is known as an award.

    In joint sessions with each side, a mediator will try to obtain further details of the priorities and issues for each party to explore alternatives, communicate positions and search for solutions.

    Benefits of Mediation

    • A business relationship may be able to continue that may be terminated via litigation.
    • Generally, saving of money through reduced legal costs.
    • Accommodation and special needs of the parties can be included.
    • Settlement can be reached much more quickly than in litigation.
    • Parties are directly engaged in the negotiation settlement.
    • The mediator can view the dispute objectively and can assist the parties in considering alternatives they may not have considered.

    How To Prepare For Mediation

    • Outline the strengths and weaknesses of your own case.
    • Prepare facts and documents to support your case.
    • Focus on the interests of each party.
    • Identify your needs and interests in settling the dispute.
    • Prioritise the issues in light of your needs.
    • Determine a course of action and support a variety of possible solutions.
    • Develop your strategies and tactics through discussion of issues, presentation of proposals and testing of the other party’s position.
    • Finalise the issues involved within the dispute.
    • Anticipate the other party’s needs, demands, strengths and weaknesses, positions and version of the facts.

    Cost Of Mediation

    This is based upon the mediator’s published hourly rate plus the costs of any legal representatives who attend. All expenses are generally borne equally by the parties, which may be adjusted by agreement.

    Key contacts

    Andrew Hornsby

    Partner

    Dispute Resolution

    Kally Singh

    Partner

    Senior Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution

    Shanya Dasanayake

    Trainee Solicitor | Litigation

    Stay up-to-date with Hegarty