Business Arbitration and Mediation

Here to Help with Your Business Arbitration or Mediation

If you are facing a business dispute, you may wonder if there are alternatives to filing a lawsuit in court. Business mediation and arbitration are two popular methods of alternative dispute resolution used by many businesspeople today. They are different ways of resolving your legal issues outside the courtroom.

Many businesspeople dealing with legal conflicts are wary of going to court. This could be true for a variety of reasons – wanting to avoid bad publicity, keeping confidential business information private, and resolving disputes quickly are only a few. Alternative dispute resolution has emerged as a useful solution for handling legal issues in a non-court context.

But what could the use of business mediation or arbitration mean for your case? Both business mediation and arbitration can shorten the timeline from the beginning of your legal disagreements to the end. In some cases, parties might avoid litigation altogether. Moreover, business mediation or arbitration may reduce costs or hassle for the parties.

business arbitration

Business Mediation Brings the Parties Together

During a business mediation session, the parties to a legal dispute and their attorneys meet with their mediator. A mediator is an unbiased third party, often a retired judge or experienced lawyer, and is chosen by the parties. Everything that happens during a business mediation is considered confidential moving forward.

A business mediator’s goal is to identify a way for the parties to reach a settlement. During a business mediation, the parties sit in different rooms with their lawyers. The mediator moves between the rooms to talk about issues in the case. He or she may discuss the facts, the legal issues, weaknesses or strengths of your case, proposed settlement amounts, terms of a settlement, and more. At some mediations, a mediator invites all the parties to sit in the same room for part of the mediation.

Mediators do not make binding legal decisions or force the parties into a settlement. The parties often participate voluntarily. Alternatively, judges sometimes order mediation to settle a lawsuit before proceeding to a costly, time-consuming trial. When you agree to business mediation, you agree to attempting to resolve your dispute with a mediator’s assistance.

The attorneys at Henke & Williams, LLP are well-versed in business mediation procedures, having successfully guided clients through the process. You need a business mediation lawyer who understands the process and how to use it to your advantage. No matter what kind of business dispute you have, consider business mediation with Henke & Williams, LLP as an option.

Business Arbitration – A Legally-Binding Alternative

Business arbitration is another commonly used alternative dispute resolution method. This method is more formal than mediation but less formal than court. During arbitration, the parties initially exchange information about the legal dispute (such as requests for documents and witness depositions). The rules governing the arbitration may substantially limit the amount of information exchanged or the time in which to do it, to speed up the process.

After exchanging information, the parties schedule an arbitration hearing. One or more arbitrators preside over the session, which is more like a trial than mediation. Usually, an arbitration hearing is less formal than court – often taking place in a conference room with less stringent rules for presenting your case.

During the hearing, the arbitrator reviews evidence provided by both parties and listens to testimony from witnesses. Afterward, the arbitrator makes a decision about the legal issues raised. Typically, the arbitrator’s decision is legally binding on the parties.

Sometimes, parties engage in arbitration because an arbitration clause in a contract requires it instead of or before going to court. Moreover, judges sometimes require parties to arbitrate. You and the other party to a dispute also can independently set up an arbitration session.

The lawyers at Henke & Williams, LLP understand how to represent their clients before arbitrators. If you’re looking for an alternative to court or your contract requires arbitration, consider our firm for legal advice.

Houston Lawyers Helping You Find a Practical Solution

Resolving disputes through business mediation or business arbitration is an option for many. At Henke & Williams, LLP, we guide our clients to the resolution method that best fits their unique situation. Don’t wait to seek legal advice about your business dispute – reach out to us right away. Call 713-940-4500 or use our convenient Contact Form to set up a consultation with Henke & Williams, LLP.

Mediation Brings the Parties Together

During a mediation session, the parties and their attorneys meet with their mediator, an unbiased third party. After an initial session with all the parties and their attorneys, the groups split into different rooms. The mediator then moves between the parties facilitating an agreement, if possible.

Mediators do not hand down orders or force the parties into a settlement. The parties often participate voluntarily, although judges sometimes order mediation to settle a lawsuit before proceeding to a costly, time-consuming trial.

The attorneys at Henke & Williams are well-versed in mediation procedures, having successfully guided clients through the process.

Arbitration – A Legally-Binding Alternative

Sometimes parties engage in arbitration because an arbitration clause in a contract requires it. Also, judges sometimes require parties to arbitrate, but they can also set up an arbitration session independently.

This method of alternative dispute resolution is more formal than mediation. However, the parties and their attorneys typically have to abide by more stringent rules. One or more arbitrators preside over the session, which is more like a trial than mediation. However, taking your legal dispute to arbitration usually is less expensive than going to trial.

In most cases, the arbitrators’ decision is legally binding on the parties.

The lawyers at Henke & Williams understand how to represent their clients before arbitrators.

Houston Lawyers Helping You Find a Practical Solution

At Henke & Williams, we guide our clients to the method of resolution that best fits their unique situation. Resolving some disputes through mediation and arbitration is an option. To set up a consultation, call (713) 940-4500 or use our convenient Contact Form.

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