
Edmund J. Sikorski, Jr., J.D.
734-845-4109
NEUTRAL SETTLEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Selecting the Time to Mediate
By Ed Sikorski
March, 2012
When is it TIME TO MEDIATE?
Consider the following scenarios:
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Settlement discussions have stalled for several months and it is becoming clear that litigation will begin. The parties’ positions have become entrenched.
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Communication and information flow has come to a halt.
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Client control has become problematic. Client expectations exceed your case evaluation.
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Case management dictates that a substantial round of discovery is coming up and/or it is time to begin trial preparation. CAVEAT: Do the parties have enough information to proceed to mediation?
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The case involves multiple parties and putting together a global settlement seems out of reach.
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In commercial/business litigation scenarios you recognize that there is a substantial risk to the viability of the enterprise itself and that a win by one side will be a Pyrrhic victory.
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The settlement value is less than the cost of proceeding to trial
If you recognize one or more of these scenarios, it is TIME TO MEDIATE.