Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution with Gross, Minsky & Mogul, P.A.
Quicker, more efficient, and less costly ways to resolve legal disputes may exist. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options include Arbitration, Mediation, and Neutral Evaluation. These methods may be used in combination and either before or after a lawsuit is filed.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a form of “mini-trial” where the rules of evidence are more flexible than in litigation, in which a neutral person or panel decides the claims after written presentations by the parties and an abbreviated presentation of evidence. The parties may agree in advance that the arbitration decision will be binding on the parties, in which case the decision may be filed with the appropriate court, giving it the benefits of a judgment in that court.
Mediation
Mediation is designed to bring the parties to a compromise. Mediation can be used in contract negotiation as well as in dispute resolution. The mediator reviews written submissions by the parties and then meets with them together and separately for candid discussions of the claims. If successful, the parties leave mediation with an agreement which is then memorialized by their attorneys.
Neutral Evaluation
Neutral Evaluation provides the parties with an evaluation of their claims and defenses by a neutral person. The parties make written and oral presentations, and the neutral gives the parties the benefit of their view of the claim and an opinion of its value. Like non-binding arbitration, the Neutral Evaluation gives the parties a more detailed understanding of their claims and defenses’ positive and negative aspects.
Many of Gross, Minsky & Mogul, P.A. attorneys have experience acting as ADR. When acting as a neutral, we carefully review and consider the parties’ presentations and provide them with insights that are difficult to obtain from the attorney acting as an advocate for a client. Decisions are timely and well-reasoned.
When participating in ADR on behalf of our clients, we first assist the client in determining whether, when, and what type of process is most appropriate for a given dispute. (With a few exceptions, court rules require that the parties engage in ADR once a lawsuit is filed.) At the dispute resolution proceeding, we prepare and conduct ourselves as we would for trial without forfeiting the beneficial cost savings to be gained by taking this approach.
As litigation costs grow, Alternative Dispute Resolution has become a popular means of resolving conflicts arising from personal and commercial relationships. The attorneys at Gross, Minsky & Mogul, P.A., can guide you through the process for a more expedient and cost-effective result.