At Blue Sky Mediation Center, our experienced San Diego County mediator knows every mediation session is unique, which means the overall cost of the conflict resolution depends on the nature of the dispute. Most mediations can be completed in one session, but some of the more complex disputes do require two or more sessions to reach a full and final settlement.
Estimates do show that mediation is vastly less expensive than a typical lawsuit, often producing results that are 60%-80% less expensive than conventional litigation. One of the most common reasons that is true is that mediation allows business and civil disputes to be settled promptly. That means less time in sessions, minimal attorney fees, and fewer personal and professional resources exhausted by the mediating parties.
Here are a few other ways mediation can diffuse the cost of your dispute, so you can move forward with confidence.
Litigation is Time Consuming, Which Means More Billable Hours
When most people think of litigation, they think of the process as filing a lawsuit, and an ensuing
courtroom fight. The reality is, litigation involves all legal preparation processes that occur before, during, and after the actual lawsuit. This may include the pleadings — which are each party’s initial claims and defenses stated in writing — the discovery process, negotiation stages, motions, trial, and any potential appeals.
If the litigation process ends in a trial, the actual court proceedings may only take a few days, except in especially complex cases where both sides present extensive witnesses and technical evidence, where the trial can stretch on for weeks.
However, it is the pre-trial process and the progression of preparing a case through discovery that can take weeks, months, or even years. Unfortunately, if this is true for your case, attorney hourly rates remain the most common way legal fees are charged and are the biggest cost involved in litigation.
Other costs charged by a law firm may include, but are not limited to copy, postage, and filing
fees, travel expenses, and payment for expensive expert witnesses, appraisers, and consultants, which may be charged upfront or along with the legal fee payments.
The principal fact is that litigation can be incredibly costly, making mediation the favored and often advisable route for most conflicts that are suitable for this type of expedited dispute resolution.
Contact Blue Sky Mediation Center Today to Discuss Your Dispute Resolution Needs
To learn more about the mediation process, and how our remote sessions create virtual solutions that fit all types of civil disputes, contact our San Diego County mediator at Blue Sky Mediation Center by calling 760.454.7277 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal needs today.