Baltimore Mediation Lawyer
Mediation in Baltimore Family Law and Business Litigation
The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes has developed a complex mediation practice, mediating cases as diverse as real property disputes, contractor claims, and child custody disputes. While not applicable to every situation, mediation can quite often lead to a resolution that is faster, less expensive and more suitable than resolution through traditional, formal litigation. If your case can benefit from mediation, Baltimore mediation lawyers at the Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes can help you achieve your goals through this attractive form of alternative dispute resolution.
Benefits of Mediation
Mediation is faster – Litigation often drags on for months as parties to a dispute prepare for the critical all-or-nothing outcome of a trial. Due to backlogs in trial dockets, courts may not even schedule a trial for a year or more. A mediation, on the other hand, can be scheduled much sooner, as soon as the parties are ready, and the mediation itself may be resolved in as little as half a day or a couple of days, depending upon the issues involved.
Mediation is cheaper – Going hand in hand with a faster resolution is that there are less costs involved, not only in the time of the attorneys but also in other costs of litigation, such as expert witnesses and the production of documents. Mediation can cost thousands less than litigation.
Mediation is less formal – Occurring outside of the courtroom, a mediation is not bound by the strict rules of evidence you see in a court of law. This allows the parties more freedom in discussing issues openly and getting to the heart of the matter.
Mediation is customizable – In litigation, each party stakes out a position, and the trial judge’s decision will ultimately favor one party’s position over the other. A mediation focuses on interests rather than positions, and the parties with the help of the mediator are free to fashion any solution they see fit. The best result is a win/win resolution, one that reflects the interests of both sides.
Mediation is more likely to be adhered to – Since parties to a mediation are active participants in crafting a workable solution that meets their needs, they are personally invested in the result and much more likely to voluntarily adhere to the resolution than one which is imposed on them by a judge. After a trial, one party frequently appeals, or a party finds themselves having to return to court over and over again for enforcement of court orders. With a mediated result, the parties are more likely to stick to the resolution and help implement it successfully.
Mediation is not binding – If the mediation is not successful, the parties can still move forward and litigate their case in court. Typically, though, they move forward with at least some of the issues resolved, or with a better understanding of the other party’s interests and positions, and the strengths and weaknesses of their own case. This can help any future litigation go more quickly and be more likely to reach a realistic resolution.
Insightful and Experienced Baltimore Mediation Services
Call the Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes to discuss the merits of mediation in your Baltimore family law or business dispute.