Reference
Ways to resolve a dispute
Summary
Taking legal action can be stressful, expensive and time consuming. And courts are not usually the right place to sort out problems caused by a communication difficulty or a misunderstanding. Finding a solution that you can both live with, without going to court, can make it easier to have some kind of relationship in the future. This can be important if your dispute is with a neighbour or your landlord, a friend or family member, or your child’s school. ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution' (ADR) is the name for a range of options for resolving legal problems, often without going through the court process. You may also hear it called 'Appropriate Dispute Resolution'. Getting free one-to-one advice is hard. All advice services are extremely busy. We are here to help everyone who cannot get in at an advice service and cannot afford to pay for legal help. We give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need to deal with the issue yourself, or with the help of friends or family. If you need more help than you can get from our advice guides and self-help tools, we explain how to try to find advice.
Key information
- Taking legal action can be stressful, expensive and time consuming. And courts are not usually the right place to sort out problems caused by a communication difficulty or a misunderstanding. Finding a solution that you can both live with, without going to court, can make it easier to have some kind of relationship in the future. This can be important if your dispute is with a neighbour or your landlord, a friend or family member, or your child’s school.
- ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution' (ADR) is the name for a range of options for resolving legal problems, often without going through the court process. You may also hear it called 'Appropriate Dispute Resolution'.
- Information Sort out your legal problem instead of going to court Understand alternative ways to solve your problem including making an effective complaint, negotiating and using mediation or arbitration services.
- Information Civil mediation Resolve your dispute before or after you start legal proceedings through civil mediation. Learn what types of legal problems are covered, how civil mediation works, and if it might help you solve your legal problem more quickly, cheaply, and easily.
- Information How to get free legal advice about your civil case Ideally you should get legal advice to help you work out if an alternative way of resolving your dispute is the best route for you. Find organisations who may be able to help you if you cannot afford to pay for advice.
- Getting free one-to-one advice is hard. All advice services are extremely busy. We are here to help everyone who cannot get in at an advice service and cannot afford to pay for legal help.
- We give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need to deal with the issue yourself, or with the help of friends or family. If you need more help than you can get from our advice guides and self-help tools, we explain how to try to find advice.
Practical guidance
- Source: Ways to resolve a dispute
Related topics
More in this area
Sources
- Advicenow — Ways to resolve a dispute
This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.