It’s no secret that litigation in the construction and building industry has the potential to rack up a hefty financial bill, as well as take up significant time resources. If you’re at the construction phase of a project, it’s likely that you’re working towards strict deadlines whilst trying to adhere to budget restraints.
Although it’s true that there are some situations where court or tribunal appearances might be unavoidable, it is always preferable to seek out a more cost-effective solution. This solution is usually found in alternative dispute resolution.
Alternative dispute resolution is generally the step that comes before the matter is referred to QCAT or court, and such resolution may be found through various methods. Mediation is a frequently used process where an independent mediator guides parties through their dispute with the goal of reaching an agreed
outcome. The mediator doesn’t decide a matter for the parties, but instead assists parties in drafting agreement terms that reflect an agreed compromised decision. In the circumstances that parties are unable to reach agreement at a mediation, they may decide to progress their matter to court. There may be other methods of resolving the dispute available to the parties such as arbitration, but no matter the pathway chosen, the ultimate goal of alternative dispute resolution is for disagreeing parties to arrive at a solution whilst avoiding court costs and legal fees.
In many cases, the key difference that will ensure successful resolution is the speed at which negotiations can occur.The sooner an agreement can be reached, the more likely it is that opposing parties will be able to maintain a strong business relationship.With 22 years of experience in building and construction litigation in Queensland, Simon Taylor is known for his robust and decisive demeanour when it comes to handling all types of building and construction disputes on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas, meaning a faster, less expensive route to resolution.Contact the firm today on 07 5551 0374.