Disputes can happen in all aspects of life, from business conflicts to family disagreements. While some of these issues are ultimately resolved through litigation, many people use other methods to secure an amicable solution, including arbitration and mediation.
If you are involved in a dispute, a Sacramento arbitration and mediation lawyer may be able to help. These processes allow you to protect your rights and pursue an agreement without the cost and worry of a drawn-out lawsuit. Before you commit to legal action, consider letting a skilled attorney at Erkel Law, P.C. assist you with an alternative form of conflict resolution.
There are many reasons why turning directly to contentious litigation is not always the best approach during a disagreement. When you work with an arbitration and mediation attorney in Sacramento, you have the ability to reach a fair resolution without the risks of a traditional lawsuit.
One of the most important benefits of this approach is the cost. Arbitrating or mediating claims is typically far less expensive than a lawsuit, partly because litigation can take much more time. Instead of waiting on legal proceedings that can last for years, you could reach an agreement in a much shorter period of time.
Keeping a dispute out of the court system also gives you a measure of control over the process and allows you the chance to protect your privacy. While trials take place before the public, you have the opportunity to arbitrate or mediate a claim in private. This means keeping the details of a business dispute or family matter confidential, sharing them only with those who need to know.
Before considering mediation, it is essential to understand how this process works. The purpose of mediation is to bring both parties together with a neutral person—the mediator—in an attempt to work out a settlement.
It is not the job of a mediator to take sides or decide who is right. Instead, their role is to facilitate discussions and find common ground. Often, the parties in a dispute are closer to a resolution than they think. Working with a mediator allows them to explore a solution without any risk. A Sacramento attorney at Erkel Law, P.C. can answer questions about whether mediation or arbitration might be the best approach for you.
Arbitration is similar to mediation, and a Sacramento lawyer can help with both options. Where arbitration differs is that it is a more confrontational approach. Instead of attempting to reach a settlement with the other side, both parties in an arbitration must make their case before a verdict is declared.
Instead of this process taking place in court before a judge, cases are heard by one or more arbitrators. Usually, a panel of attorneys or former judges will hear evidence in a case and make a decision after hearing from both sides.
Arbitration may be a contested proceeding, but it is much less formal than a trial. It also occurs in private, protecting the interests of both parties in some cases. Whether the results of the arbitration hearing are binding depends on whether the terms of a contract require it.
Regardless of the nature of your dispute, it may be possible to find a resolution without the need for costly litigation. At Erkel Law, P.C., the goal is to get the best possible outcome on your behalf through whatever means are available. Reach out to a Sacramento mediation and arbitration lawyer today to learn more.
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