23 Aug 2007

Accidents, mistakes and misunderstandings can happen in any business. Sometimes these grow into full-blown disputes, and before you know it, you are facing a legal claim.

Being sued is stressful, time-consuming and expensive — three good reasons for settling quickly (or, better still, putting in safeguards to prevent disputes arising in the first place). But unless you are clearly at fault, or fail to follow the court procedures correctly, the odds are in your favour.

This briefing outlines:

• The first steps to take.
• How to reduce, admit or defend the claim.
• The implications of criminal proceedings.
• The options for alternative dispute resolution.