The saying that small businesses form the backbone of the UK economy may sound hackneyed to some, but it is hard to argue against proven statistics. SMEs makeup 99.9% of all private sector businesses in the UK, provide 59.3% of all private sector employment, and generate 48.1% of all private sector turnover. Collectively, SMEs employ 14.4 million people and have a combined turnover of £1.6 trillion.

Alternative dispute resolution consists of several methods of settling disputes in lieu of litigation. In everyday discourse however, the term 'ADR' is commonly used as a catch all phrase, implying a similarity of process and conclusion in all different forms. At Phoenix, we realize that the appropriate method of ADR may differ according to the nature of the dispute, and are committed to helping our clients make the correct choice. 

Arbitration

At its core, mediation is a reconciliation tool that attempts to co-opt rather than coerce parties into a resolution, much unlike traditional methods of dispute resolution. As such, it focuses on skilled individuals with an understanding of conflict management, working within a specified structure to enable parties into entering voluntary and mutually agreeable terms. Its success is therefore grounded in a number of factors. 

Time and Cost Effective:

Lawyers often bemoan how clients display a deep aversion to the "L" word. This is because litigation is a notoriously expensive exercise. In a typical case, it could take 58 weeks for a hearing to take place from the time that it was filed.

Civil Litigation

Litigation is used to resolve conflicts in civil and criminal justice systems around the globe. It is a method of dealing with legal issues that require a great deal of time, money and emotional investment. 

Workplace mediation allows organizations to resolve disputes at the earliest stage possible, preventing costly formal proceedings, reduced productivity and an unhealthy working environment. Mediation further allows employers to demonstrate their commitment towards the contentment and well-being of the workforce. Organizations looking to develop in-house mediation capacities may seek to benefit from the vast experience on offer by the team at Phoenix Dispute Solutions, in order to ensure a smooth development process.

Structure and Guidelines 

Essentially, it is imperative for the modern commercial and non-commercial organisation to cultivate a culture where disputes are recognised and resolved, rather than simply brushed under the carpet.