BLANEY McMURTRY LLP | ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION | ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS
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BY: ALVA ORLANDO 416.593.3980 [email protected]
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dispute Resolution Processes
In order to select the most appropriate process, it is important to understand and appreciate the advantages and
disadvantages of the various dispute resolution processes.
In the outline of advantages and disadvantages of dispute resolution processes provided below, a simplified
spectrum of processes from consensual, informal (negotiation and mediation) to formal, adjudicative (arbitration
and trial) is used:
CONSENSUAL PROCESSES – Negotiation and Mediation
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Speedy and informal resolution of disputes; generally less stressful Can be used as stalling tactic
Confidentiality and the avoidance of publicity Parties not compelled to continue
negotiations or mediation
May improve communication between parties thereby preserving or enhancing
relationships between parties
Do not produce legal precedents
High degree of party control:
Parties create own process and craft own agreement
Exclusion of pertinent parties weakens
final agreement
Flexibility: resolutions can be tailored to the needs and underlying concerns of
the parties and can address legal and non-legal issues as well as providing for
remedies unavailable through adjudicative processes
Parties may have limited bargaining
authority
Legal and/or other standards of fairness can be used in crafting agreements Little or no check on power imbalances
between the parties
Increased satisfaction and compliance with settlements when parties have directly
participated in crafting agreements
Disclosure of information and
truthfulness of communications depend
on good faith of parties--mediation
cannot compel good faith
May assist in clarifying and narrowing issues, and fostering climate of openness,
co-operation, and collaboration, even if a settlement is not reached
In negotiation -- lack of neutral may
reduce chance of reaching agreement,
particularly in complex disputes or those
involving multi-parties
BLANEY McMURTRY LLP | ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION | ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS
__________________________________________________________
BY: ALVA ORLANDO 416.593.3980 [email protected]
Risk-free: communications are without prejudice and if no agreement reached,
parties can pursue other options
May not adequately protect parties' legal
rights
In mediation – parties may select mediator with substantive knowledge In mediation -- strong-willed or
incompetent mediator can exercise too
much control
In mediation -- facilitated discussion useful if negotiations have broken down or
if strong emotions present
Process voluntary (except where mandated by contract or legislation)
Agreement binds parties
ADJUDICATIVE PROCESSES – Arbitration and Trial
ARBITRATION
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Parties create own process Success largely dependent on arbitrator
Arbitrator can be selected on basis of substantive knowledge Time and cost affected by poor co-operation and poor
process design
Confidential proceedings Right of appeal limited
Formality compels proper behaviour and may minimize bad
faith
Confidentiality not suitable for some disputes
Rules of procedure can be tailored to the process Outcome uncertain in binding arbitration
Less backlog than courts
Final decision binding or advisory depending on wishes of
parties
Proceedings may be shorter and therefore less expensive
BLANEY McMURTRY LLP | ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION | ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS
__________________________________________________________
BY: ALVA ORLANDO 416.593.3980 [email protected]
TRIAL
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Formal -- less opportunity for abuse of process Time consuming
Parties compelled to attend Parties not in control of process or decision -- outcome
uncertain
Institutionalized process allows safeguards Public process
Final decision binding Onerous evidentiary burden
Legal precedent may be established Available remedies limited
Expensive process
