We help businesses, shareholders and individuals settle disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or the courts, including enforcing a settlement or award.
Overview
Disputes are a normal part of business and personal life. What matters is how they are handled. Dispute resolution covers the different routes available: direct negotiation, mediation, arbitration and court proceedings.
Each route has different costs, speed, privacy and consequences. Negotiation and mediation keep control with the parties. Arbitration lets a private decision-maker rule, usually under rules the parties chose in advance. Court proceedings are public and follow formal procedure.
Often the most important document is the contract itself, because many contracts specify how disputes must be handled, including which courts or arbitration rules apply. Reading that clause early can shape the whole approach.
We help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your position, the routes open to you and what each is likely to involve. We then act for you in negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court, whichever fits. We do not promise results; we give you an honest assessment so you can decide.
Who we help
- Businesses in a disagreement with a customer, supplier or partner.
- Shareholders or founders in dispute about a company.
- Individuals with a claim that has not been settled by discussion.
- In-house counsel managing a dispute and needing support.
How we work
- We review the contract, the correspondence and the facts of the dispute.
- We explain your options, the likely process and the risks of each route.
- We agree the scope and fee approach, including alternative fee arrangements where suitable.
- We act for you in the chosen route and report on progress at each stage.
What to bring to a first conversation
Bring the contract or agreement the dispute arises from, including any clause on how disputes are to be resolved, and the correspondence exchanged so far. A short timeline of events, with dates, helps us see what has happened and what deadlines may apply. Tell us what outcome you want and what you would accept, since the right route, whether negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court, depends on both. Time limits can apply to claims, so raise the matter early.
Typical work
Settlement negotiation and a written settlement agreement
Mediation preparation for business partners or shareholders
Read the related questionArbitration papers and hearing preparation under a contract clause
Read the related questionFormal demand, or the response to one
Read the related questionSteps to enforce a settlement or arbitral award
How a dispute usually moves forward
The order can change, and some steps are skipped. This is a general outline, not a prediction for your case.
Review the contract and the facts
We read the contract, the correspondence and any dispute clause, and set out what you want to achieve.
Send or answer a written demand
A demand states the claim and asks for a response by a date. We can draft one or reply to one you have received.
Try to settle
Negotiation or mediation can resolve the matter without a formal case. A settlement is written down and signed.
Start formal proceedings if needed
If settlement fails, the claim goes to arbitration or court, whichever the contract and the law point to.
Obtain a decision, then enforce it
A decision or settlement still has to be carried out. If the other side does not comply, further steps may be needed.
Mediation, arbitration and court compared
| Compared on | Mediation | Arbitration | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides | The parties, helped by a neutral person | An arbitrator or a panel | A judge |
| Privacy | Usually private | Usually private | Usually public |
| Is the outcome binding? | Only if the parties sign an agreement | Generally yes | Yes, subject to any right of appeal |
| Who sets the procedure | The parties | The contract or the chosen rules | The court's rules |
Frequently asked questions
Information on this website is general in nature and is not legal advice. Anything that depends on the law is marked until a lawyer has checked it.
What is dispute resolution?
Dispute resolution means the different ways of settling a disagreement. You can negotiate directly, use a neutral mediator, have a private arbitrator decide, or go to court. Each route differs in cost, speed, privacy and control. The right choice depends on your contract, the relationship and what you want to achieve.
More detail
Many disputes settle early, before any formal process begins. We start by reading the contract and the correspondence, then explain the routes open to you and the risks of each.
What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?
In mediation, a neutral person helps both sides reach their own agreement, and nobody can be forced to settle. In arbitration, an arbitrator hears both sides and decides, and that decision is generally binding. Mediation keeps control with you. Arbitration hands the decision to someone else.
More detail
An agreement reached in mediation can be written down as a settlement. Arbitration usually follows rules chosen in the contract. Whether and how an award can be challenged or enforced depends on the law.
Does my contract say how disputes must be resolved?
Many contracts include a clause that says how disputes must be handled. It may choose arbitration or a particular court, or require steps such as negotiation first. Read it before you act, because it can affect where and how you can bring a claim. If you cannot find it, ask us.
Is arbitration faster or cheaper than court?
Sometimes, but not always. Arbitration can be quicker and more private than court, but it has its own costs, such as the arbitrators' fees. Speed and cost depend on the case, the parties and the process chosen. We discuss the likely time and cost of each route with you before you decide.
More detail
No route is cheaper in every case. A simple claim may suit court, while a technical business dispute may suit arbitration. We give an honest view and never promise a result or a timeline.
Should I send a demand letter before starting a case?
A written demand sets out your claim and gives the other side a chance to respond. It can sometimes settle the matter without proceedings. Whether to send one, and what it should say, depends on your situation and on any steps your contract requires first. It is worth getting advice before you send it.
More detail
A badly worded demand can weaken your position or escalate the dispute. We can draft one, or review one you have received. Replying to a demand also deserves care.
Do I need a lawyer to settle a dispute?
Many people settle directly, and you are not always required to have a lawyer. Advice helps most when the amount is significant, the contract is unclear, or the other side has a lawyer. A short early consultation can show you whether you need more help, and what to say and not say.
What documents should I gather before I speak to a lawyer?
Gather the contract and any changes to it, and all letters, emails and messages about the dispute. Add invoices, payment records and any notices you sent or received. Write a short timeline with dates. You do not need a perfect file. Bring what you have and tell us what is missing.
More detail
Keep messages on the original device and do not delete anything, even if it seems unhelpful. Tell us about any deadlines in the documents, such as a date by which a reply is due.
Can a dispute still be settled after a court case has started?
Yes, parties can often settle at any stage, including after a case has begun. A settlement is usually written down and signed so that both sides are clear on the terms. Whether it must be recorded with the court depends on the case and on the rules that apply.
Which court or forum would hear my dispute?
It depends on the subject of the dispute, where the parties are, the value involved and any clause in your contract. Some disputes go to ordinary courts, some to special tribunals, and some to arbitration. We confirm the correct forum before any step is taken, because starting in the wrong place can cost time.
How long does a dispute usually take?
There is no standard length. A negotiated settlement can be quick. Arbitration and court cases often take longer and depend on the complexity, the number of parties, the forum and how busy it is. We give you a realistic range for your case at the start and update it as things develop.
Glossary
- Claim
- A formal statement that someone owes you money or must do or stop doing something.
- Demand letter
- A written request, sent before a case begins, asking the other side to put something right by a stated date.
- Negotiation
- Talks between the parties, with or without lawyers, to reach an agreement without a third party deciding.
- Mediation
- A meeting where a neutral person helps the parties find an agreement. The mediator does not decide the dispute.
- Arbitration
- A private process in which an arbitrator hears both sides and gives a decision, usually under rules chosen in advance.
- Settlement agreement
- A written agreement in which the parties end a dispute on stated terms, often with payments or promises.
- Enforcement
- The steps taken to make the other side carry out a settlement, an award or a court decision.
- Time limit
- The period within which a claim must be brought. Missing it can end the right to bring the claim.
Sources
Official bodies named for reference. Check the current text of any law with the body itself or with a lawyer.
- Pakistan Code (Ministry of Law and Justice)Official federal law database. Check the current text of any law here or with a lawyer.
- Supreme Court of PakistanReported judgments are published by the Court. Check the current official source.
Questions about your own matter? Send us a message.
General information. Not yet reviewed by a lawyer.
How we write and check this content: editorial policy.
Information on this website is general in nature and is not legal advice.