What Is Dispute Resolution?

The term dispute resolution or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) refers to the many different processes available in the court system that can be used to resolve a conflict, dispute, or claim successfully. If you’re looking for a way to navigate your case outside of the court system, Cline Jensen PL.L.C. is here for you. Dispute resolution can be utilized to resolve a variety of disputes, from family and housing to personal injury and business.

What Are the Benefits?

The many different forms of dispute resolution offered at Cline Jensen PL.L.C. provide our clients with a variety of benefits such as cost and time savings when compared to a traditional court setting. Within dispute resolution, all parties included in a conflict, dispute, or claim, have full opportunity to participate and provide all necessary viewpoints and evidence.

Do I Need an Attorney for My Case?

Every case differs, and while an attorney isn’t required to participate in many dispute resolution processes, it’s highly recommended. Our dispute resolution attorney will be available to provide you with expert guidance and accompany you in any meetings you may have for your case. Here at Cline Jensen PL.L.C., we know the importance of an established relationship between an attorney and client, and we guarantee we’ll be here for you every step of the way to help you reach the resolution you deserve.

Our Dispute Resolution Services

JJ Cline, our experienced mediator and qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice, has over 20 years of experience in dispute resolution. This shows you that Cline Jensen PL.L.C is fully equipped to navigate your unique case. We guarantee our expert attorney will help you effectively resolve a conflict, dispute, or claim in areas of family, personal injury, municipal, and general civil litigation law.

Arbitration

Our skilled arbitrator, JJ Cline, has exceptional experience in successfully arbitrating complex legal disputes in various areas, from family and personal injury law to municipal and general civil litigation law. Over the years, arbitration has continued to grow in popularity because of it’s significant time and cost savings when compared to a trial by the courts. Because of this, arbitration has become the most well-known and traditional alternative to courtroom litigation. Arbitration offers clients numerous benefits, such as:

• Increased flexibility
• Less formal
• Heightened privacy and confidentiality
• Quick process
• Procedural rule simplicity

In the process of arbitration, one or more arbitrators are chosen by mutual consent to hear and decide upon a dispute. Arbitration can either be binding or non-binding. If arbitration is binding, the decision is final, can be enforced by a court, and can only be appealed on very specific grounds. If arbitration is non-binding, the decision is advisory and is final only once both parties accept. Arbitration is much less expensive when compared to litigation, meaning it could be more cost-effective for your unique situation. The process shares a lot of commonalities with standard litigation, such as the presentation of evidence, discovery, sworn witness testimony, and oral arguments.

Mediation

Like arbitration, many clients turn to mediation as it makes the process more efficient and is cost-effective compared to going to trial. In mediation, a neutral third-party mediator is appointed to help two or more parties resolve a legal dispute. Final decisions are made by the disputing parties rather than by a judge or jury. Each party involved in the case has the opportunity to describe their individual issues, and discuss interests, understandings, and feelings. The mediator is there to provide successful guidance and effectively prevent any unruly disagreements. Frequently, mediation cases are started in a series of joint sessions where the mediation process and mediator’s role are described as well as the ground rules and schedule for each following session. There are instances where joint sessions are transitioned to separate sessions in an attempt to allow for privacy and give all involved parties an opportunity to contribute.

Early Neutral Evaluation

At times, you or a loved one may be unsure of your case’s strength when engaged in a legal dispute. Our dispute resolution attorney is here to provide you with early neutral evaluation (ENE) to provide you with guidance throughout your case. A qualified neutral provides clients with an unbiased opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, so any unrealistic positions can be revealed, prospects of the trial are understood, and you understand the areas of your case that need strengthening. Often, the findings during the early neutral evaluation will allow the dispute resolution attorney to assess the likely outcome of your trial. Our early neutral evaluation services provide clients with the following:

• Insights and knowledge needed to reach a negotiated settlement
• Avoidance of uncertainty or lack of clarity
• Time allotted to trial
• Expenses