Conflict Resolution Day – Settle your dispute peacefully

When a solicitor’s pen is mightier than the sword!

Conflict Resolution Day (the third Thursday of October) was conceived in 2005 to:

• Promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict;
• Promote the use of conflict resolution in schools, families, businesses, communities, governments and the legal system;
• Recognize the significant contributions of (peaceful) conflict resolvers; and
• Obtain national synergy by having celebrations happen across the country and around the world on the same day.

Personal Conflict

Conflict has probably affected us all at some time in our lives. Maybe an argument with a family member or a disagreement with someone providing a substandard service. These conflicts can be overwhelmingly stressful, particularly if a resolution isn’t found at the outset, or we feel that our concerns aren’t taken seriously. What starts as a small disagreement can sometimes mushroom into an acrimonious battle. This can cause untold personal stress and anxiety.  As a solicitor specialising in dispute resolution, clients invariably tell me that they feel they need the services of a solicitor to ‘fight their corner’. It gives them ‘a voice’ if their own efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

It is a reality that a solicitor’s letter can carry more weight. Enlisting the help of a solicitor shows that you feel strongly regarding the matter in dispute. It can send a signal that you are intent on reaching a resolution. However, the role of your solicitor isn’t to throw oil on the flames. It is rather to help those in conflict to a stress-free and cost-effective resolution. A well-constructed solicitors letter is regularly sufficient to mediate an end a conflict. However, if this doesn’t succeed, formal complaints procedures follow. Roundtable meetings or formal mediations can broker a solution without recourse to costly litigation and a solicitor can help you navigate these processes.

The dilemma facing most clients is that instructing a solicitor who charges an hourly rate to write letters can be costly. Many conclude that they ‘cannot afford to fight on a matter of principle’. It is also often the case that those in our community who are vulnerable or feel unable to make their voice heard are the ones without the means to meet these costs.

Having a voice

At Kidwells, in recognition that having ‘a voice’ is important, we offer a fixed and affordably priced ‘resolution letter’ to represent your views. In addition, we can help you navigate other methods to end your conflict.

So, if you are in conflict, contact our specialist Dispute Resolution Solicitors for help today.