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Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

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Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

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The service offered by Lawhive is outstanding. The process to find the most suitable solicitor is straightforward and efficient. The pricing is transparent and clear and the solicitors that have been provided to me have been outstanding. I would strongly recommend this company to anyone looking for a solicitor.
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09 July, 24
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I would definitely recommend Lawhive also for the way the service is structured with a quick initial call and then their online private chat, which saves unnecessary costs, time and provides the kind of flexibility to follow the case when it’s more convenient to you.
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12 July, 24
Great service and job well done
Great service, excellent communication, very accommodating with timing and date requests. All done efficiently. Highly recommended.
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23 July, 24
Very happy indeed
A great service and in my experience, knowledgeable, helpful and experienced solicitors who's help I found to be invaluable. Thank you Lawhive, great job.
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26 July, 24
Had a great experience with Lawhive
Had a great experience with Lawhive, not only did I get a great price compared to everywhere else I looked, but my assigned solicitor was amazing and super helpful every step of the way. I even got my wanted outcome with my custody case in the end.
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27 July, 24
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I recently used Lawhive to assist with my British citizenship application, and the experience was fantastic. My lawyer was incredibly helpful and kind throughout the entire process.
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29 July, 24
We had a very good experience with…
We had a very good experience with lawhive our solicitor was kind attentive and quick. She gave us all the relevant information and advice and sorted out our matter in a clear and straightforward manner. We are very grateful and pleased that we chose your services and would highly recommend.
Jo,
02 August, 24
The service offered by Lawhive is outstanding
The service offered by Lawhive is outstanding. The process to find the most suitable solicitor is straightforward and efficient. The pricing is transparent and clear and the solicitors that have been provided to me have been outstanding. I would strongly recommend this company to anyone looking for a solicitor.
Jane,
09 July, 24
Courteous, fast and competent service
I would definitely recommend Lawhive also for the way the service is structured with a quick initial call and then their online private chat, which saves unnecessary costs, time and provides the kind of flexibility to follow the case when it’s more convenient to you.
Fabrizio,
12 July, 24
Great service and job well done
Great service, excellent communication, very accommodating with timing and date requests. All done efficiently. Highly recommended.
Basira,
23 July, 24
Very happy indeed
A great service and in my experience, knowledgeable, helpful and experienced solicitors who's help I found to be invaluable. Thank you Lawhive, great job.
Paul,
26 July, 24
Had a great experience with Lawhive
Had a great experience with Lawhive, not only did I get a great price compared to everywhere else I looked, but my assigned solicitor was amazing and super helpful every step of the way. I even got my wanted outcome with my custody case in the end.
Danny,
27 July, 24
Exceptional Support
I recently used Lawhive to assist with my British citizenship application, and the experience was fantastic. My lawyer was incredibly helpful and kind throughout the entire process.
Angels,
29 July, 24
We had a very good experience with…
We had a very good experience with lawhive our solicitor was kind attentive and quick. She gave us all the relevant information and advice and sorted out our matter in a clear and straightforward manner. We are very grateful and pleased that we chose your services and would highly recommend.
Jo,
02 August, 24
Rated 4.8 / 5. Showing our 4 & 5 star reviews.

About

Commercial alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a process that allows parties to resolve disputes without going to court. ADR can be used to resolve disputes in a number of different ways, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. Solicitors can help with ADR processes.Next steps

How much does a Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) cost?

The cost for a licensed solicitor to help with a Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is dependent on many factors including the complexity and specific requirements of the case. On average it is expected to range from £188-£250 but in some cases it could cost as much as £313.

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How our solicitors can help with commercial alternative dispute resolution

Commercial ADR can help resolve issues outside of the court system. It can be quicker, more cost-effective and less stressful for all parties involved. Here are just a few of the commercial ADR services that Lawhive can help with:

Assessing the suitability of ADR

Our team of solicitors can evaluate the suitability of ADR for a particular dispute, advising on the best approach to resolve the matter as cost-effectively as possible.

Representation in mediation and arbitration

An ADR lawyer can represent businesses throughout the process, from preparing submissions to negotiating settlements or presenting evidence in arbitration hearings.

Drafting settlement agreements

A solicitor plays a key role in drafting legally binding settlement agreements following mediation or arbitration to ensure the terms are enforceable.

Enforcing arbitration awards

Your solicitor can also assist in enforcing arbitration awards through the courts if the losing party fails to comply with the arbitrator’s decision.

Why choose Lawhive for commercial ADR services?

We partner with commercial solicitors all over the UK to find you the best legal expert for your case. Here are just a few reasons you might prefer Lawhive over a traditional law firm:

  • Expertise in commercial dispute resolution: Our lawyers have years of experience in handling complex commercial disputes through ADR. They can offer your business a practical solution to resolve disputes without costly litigation.

  • Transparent pricing: We don't believe in paying by the hour. We'll assess your case and give you a fixed fee quote with no obligations and no unwanted surprises.

  • Cheaper on average: On average, Lawhive can be up to 50% cheaper than a traditional law firm. You get the same high-quality legal advice, for less.

Common alternative dispute resolution strategies

The key commercial ADR services and strategies include mediation, arbitration, negotiation, expert determination and adjudication. Your ADR solicitor can help guide on the most suitable strategy for your circumstances.

Mediation in ADR

Mediation is one of the most popular forms of ADR. It's a voluntary process where an independent third-party mediator helps the parties negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution. Mediators don’t make judgements, but instead create an open environment where both sides can outline their views and discuss any common ground they may have.

The process of mediation has many benefits, primarily it fosters open communication and helps to preserve business relationships due to its non-adversarial nature. In mediation, there are no ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ as a mediator can’t make any decisions. Either side can walk away at any point.

Arbitration in ADR

Arbitration is a more formal ADR process where an independent arbitrator makes a binding decision on a dispute. Independent arbitrators can be appointed by institutions such as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and The Law Society. Each party has the right to have a say on who arbitrates their case by shortlisting the arbitrators they prefer, or jointly deciding on an arbitrator they’d be happy with.

Compared to court proceedings which can take several months, arbitration can be a faster, more flexible alternative option while still delivering a legally enforceable outcome.

Negotiation in ADR

Negotiation is a method of ADR where disputing businesses get together around the table, to have a direct discussion. It’s often facilitated by solicitors, if necessary, to reach an agreement without third-party intervention. This process is characterised by open discussion, listening and compromise, where all parties try to find a solution which is mutually satisfactory. The success of negotiation depends on the willingness of all parties to compromise in order to reach an agreement.

Expert determination

In some technical disputes, the parties may agree to appoint an independent expert to determine the outcome, particularly in cases involving highly specialised areas such as construction or technology. In this ADR process, the expert makes investigations, reviews the evidence and uses their knowledge to reach a decision. Parties benefit by having the ability to make written representations for the expert to review and can speak in the language of their field.

Adjudication

Adjudication, typically used in construction and engineering disputes, is a process where an independent adjudicator makes a swift decision, which is temporarily binding until arbitration or litigation resolves the issue fully. It's quick and relatively inexpensive compared to taking a dispute to court, however, it can be adversarial and deteriorate the relationship between parties.

Using Lawhive

Transparent fixed-fees

Know exactly what you will pay. On average 1/3 of the cost of a high street firm

Hassle-free

Receive a custom quote in as little as 5 minutes. No hassle, no obligation.

Conveniently online

Follow your case from the comfort of your home with our online platform.

Brilliant support

Our world-class support will be with you every step of the way.
Traditional Law Firms

Pay by the hour

Hourly charges mean costs are hard to predict and you could be charged more than you expect.

Frustrating

It can be take days or weeks to hear updates from your solicitor.

Outdated and offline

Offline and slow procedures will require you to visit firms in-person.

No support

No dedicated support team. You'll have to deal with issues on your own.

Key benefits of ADR services over litigation

Most solicitors will recommend pursuing ADR over litigation, as ADR generally offers significant cost savings while still delivering binding or enforceable outcomes. Let’s explore the key benefits of choosing ADR over commercial litigation:

  1. Cost efficiency: ADR is often more cost-effective than litigation as it avoids lengthy court procedures, reducing legal fees and other associated costs.

  2. Speed: ADR processes, particularly mediation and arbitration, can resolve disputes much faster than going through the courts, minimising disruption to business operations.

  3. Confidentiality: ADR is a private process, ensuring that sensitive business information is not exposed to the public or the media, unlike court cases, which are typically public.

  4. Preservation of business relationships: ADR encourages collaboration and negotiation, helping businesses preserve commercial relationships that might otherwise be damaged by adversarial litigation.

  5. Flexibility: ADR allows the parties to tailor the process to their needs, including choosing the mediator or arbitrator and setting flexible timelines, making it ideal for complex commercial disputes

When ADR isn't appropriate

ADR isn’t always suitable and there are some legal situations that it can't be used in. For example:

Involvement in criminal acts

ADR is generally not suitable for disputes involving criminal activity, such as fraud or theft where formal legal proceedings are required. It can be used for restorative justice programmes where victims and offenders communicate, but this is not as common as in criminal cases.

Enforcement issues

ADR may not be appropriate if there are concerns about the other party’s willingness or ability to comply with a non-binding agreement or enter into good faith negotiations, such as in mediation.

Urgent injunctive relief

ADR is also not suitable in urgent cases when court action is needed to obtain urgent relief, like if you need to apply for an injunction to prevent ongoing harm or protect business assets. Ultimately, ADR can’t address these cases in a timely manner.

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