Home Buyer / Home Seller Alternative Dispute Resolution Options
Arbitration
Arbitration is a process, not unlike court (but much less formal), where an independent neutral person hears evidence and issues a decision, known as an “award”. This award is generally final and binding on the parties in the case. Private and confidential, it is designed for quick, practical, and economical settlements.
Mediation
Mediation is a process whereby a neutral person, the mediator, assists the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution to their dispute. The mediator may offer suggestions and point out issues that the disputants may have overlooked, but resolution of the dispute rests with the disputants themselves. The mediator does not have the authority to make a binding decision, unlike arbitration, where the arbitrator renders a decision that is final and binding.
Mediation-arbitration
Med-Arb, as the name implies, is a blend of both mediation and arbitration. The parties agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this fails to produce a settlement within a specified time period, then the matter is referred to arbitration for a final-and-binding decision by an arbitrator who, based on the agreement of the parties, may be the person who served as the mediator.
Advisory arbitration
Advisory arbitration, in most respects mirrors traditional arbitration, described above. It differs, however, in that it focuses on specific issues in a dispute and decides them in an award that is not binding on the parties.
Fact-finding
Fact-finding is investigation of the dispute by a third party who examines the issues and facts in a case and then issues a report on his findings, which might or might not ecommend settlement procedures. The fact-finder’s report is nonbinding.
Mini-trial
Mini-tril is a structured settlement procedure in which attorneys present their best case in an abbreviated form with experts, if appropriate, before senior executives of the companies involved and a neutral who chairs the presentation. After the presentation, the senior executives meet for a settlement discussion. In the event that the senior executives are unable to settle the dispute, the neutral may be empowered to mediate and or provide a nonbinding advisory opinion regarding the likely outcome if the case were litigated.
Sources of Alternative Dispute Resolutions
The Dispute Resolution Center
Washtenaw Office
110 N. Fourth Ave, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 222-3745
Livingston Office
123 E. Washington Ave.
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-6007
Construction Arbitration Services (CAS)
Local
Phone: (586) 741-0870
Fax: (586) 790-4774
Dallas, TX. Office
2777 Stemmons Freeway
Suite 1452
Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 638-2700
Fax: (214) 638-4054
Email: mailto: