Should You Resolve a Dispute in Court?

Court proceedings of any nature can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, litigation always carries some risk, as there is never a guaranteed outcome. No matter how ‘rock solid’ your case might be, once you commence litigation, your future is in the hands of a third party.  This said, it may be the best option to resolve a dispute in court in some instances. In this article, we will outline the factors to consider before commencing court proceedings and will offer some potential alternatives to litigation.

Key Considerations

There are many factors to consider before deciding to commence proceedings in court, some of which include:

1. your time;  
2. potential legal costs;
3. costs you may be able to recover;
4. ongoing relationships; and
5. your desired outcome.

1. Your Time  

This is an important factor that is sometimes overlooked.  As a party to court proceedings, you will be required to take part in several time consuming activities, including:

• regularly liaising with your lawyer;
• providing instructions promptly, as and when required;
• attending court proceedings; and
• giving evidence.  

These tasks will likely cut into personal and work time. For a small business or startup, time spent away from work can have a significant impact.

2. Legal Costs

Disputes can be expensive and legal costs can quickly escalate.  If you would like to engage a lawyer, ask them to provide you with an estimate of the costs you will likely incur.  Your lawyer is obliged to provide you with this information, and to disclose how the costs were calculated.

3. Costs Recoverable

As a general rule, a successful party will be awarded part of their costs by the court. The unsuccessful party will pay these costs.  This is the amount recoverable and is dependent on several factors, including the total amount of your claim.  

Even if you are the successful party, you will still usually be out of pocket for part of your legal fees.  If you are the unsuccessful party and a costs order is made against you, you will be significantly out of pocket.

4. Ongoing Relationships  

Commencing court proceedings against someone can have a negative impact on both the personal and business relationship. Before going to court, ask yourself: ‘Is this relationship important to me, personally or professionally?’. If your answer is ‘yes’, commencing court proceedings may not be the best way forward.

5. Outcome

Are you likely to get the outcome you desire by going to court?  For example, there is little point in commencing proceedings against a company that is insolvent and cannot pay. Speak to a dispute resolution lawyer about what exactly you want to achieve – there may be another way.  

Alternatives to Court

If you decide that court is not the best way forward for you, there are alternate methods for resolving a dispute. Often, these methods are:

• cheaper;
• less time-consuming; and
• allow for the preservation of personal and professional relationships.

Parties should take active steps to attempt to resolve their dispute before commencing court proceedings. There are many ways to negotiate the settlement of a dispute.  The option you choose will depend on several factors, including the:

• nature of your dispute;
• complexity of the issues at hand; and
• existence of any power imbalance between the parties.

Two popular methods of alternative dispute resolution are negotiation and mediation:

Get it in Writing

If you are successful in negotiating a settlement to your dispute, it is essential that you record your agreement in writing.  Ensure that you include all the details of the agreement. Having a lawyer draft the terms of the settlement may be helpful, especially if you want to avoid any future disputes about the same issues.

Key Takeaways

Commencing court proceedings may not be your best option in resolving your dispute, particularly if you are looking for cost and time effective solutions. Going to court to resolve your dispute should be a last resort.

Try alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as negotiation and mediation, before taking such a drastic step. If you have any questions, contact LegalVision’s dispute resolution lawyers on 1300 544 755, or fill out the form on this page.