In Alaska, there are several different grounds that can lead to a business dispute. Often, prior agreements and contracts have terms that the businesses disagree upon. Disputes can also occur over property matters, billing issues or other disagreements.

What to Do in a Business Dispute?

In a business dispute in Ketchikan, Alaska, the parties should first go over any relevant documents, especially contracts. There may be terms in these documents that determine how to handle the dispute. If there are no relevant documents, or the contracts do not have resolution clauses, then the dispute may need to be taken to court. Alaska courts will look to your particular case and try to discover the best resolution. In determining the outcome, they will use a specific set of legal principles designed for situations where the parties have not agreed beforehand on how to handle a dispute. Disputes over contracts and other agreements are handled differently depending on the laws of each state. Attorneys in Ketchikan know the laws of Alaska, and can offer individualized advice for those involved in business disputes. Resolution of the dispute may even be reached outside of court once an attorney's knowledge of the law smoothens negotiations between the two parties.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Contracts often have clauses requiring that a dispute be handled outside of court. This is called Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR, and it includes Mediation and Arbitration among others. ADR focuses on reaching the same resolution that a court would have, without the parties actually going to court. Methods of ADR often involve their own protocols, sometimes bringing in a third party to find a solution based on local law. If your business dispute is to be resolved by ADR, an attorney familiar with these methods in Ketchikan can counsel you throughout the process and develop the case you will present.