Even when things are going well in life, disputes can always surface, whether it be with a friend, family member, neighbor, company, etc. Settling these disputes in court can take from months to years, not to mention that they are messy and expensive. Alternative resolutions to these disputes such as mediation or arbitration are an easier route and are becoming more common to avoid the court system completely. To help the congested court system, many judges now require that mediation and arbitration be a part of the case.
If you or someone you know has found themselves in the middle of a dispute and are looking to solve it outside the courts through mediation and arbitration, an experienced mediation attorney in Bellevue can help.
What Is Mediation?
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution. The element of this is the mediator, a third party chosen by both parties in an agreement or even selected in advance. The mediator negotiates with those involved to reach a compromise that will satisfy the parties; their focus is always finding the middle ground.
What Is Arbitration?
Arbitration is related to mediation, but the arbiter has a different agreement. Simply put, they review the case as presented to them by both parties and then decides which side is right. It can be binding or nonbinding. After this, if both parties don’t like the decision, they can disregard it and litigate.
Considering Mediation and Arbitration
These alternate disputes have many advantages. They’re much faster, cheaper and tend to be more successful. Other reasons are that the timely resolution, private sessions, confidentiality, and participation preserve the interrelationship between parties. As with all types of legal matters, this should be used carefully, and one should consult a professional in mediation and arbitration matters before.
Other Services
Mediation and arbitration are not only practice. There are several other services offered by these professionals, which include personal injuries such as auto accidents, wrongful deaths, as well as slip and falls. Others include business litigation, criminal law, wills and succession, and insurance law.
