Business disputes in South Dakota often happen in many different areas. Frequently businesses disagree on the exact terms of prior contracts or arrangements. Also, billing issues and property matters can give rise to disagreements in the business setting.

What to Do in a Business Dispute?

The first step when involved in a business dispute in Brookings, South Dakota should be to review any documents relevant to the matter, such as contracts. It might have already been determined in these documents how disputes will be handled. If the contracts do not have resolution clauses, or neither business has any recorded documents relevant to the dispute, then the matter might need to be taken to court. In trying to discover the best resolution for two parties who have not agreed beforehand on a resolution, South Dakota courts will use specific legal principles designed for the situation. The laws designed to settle contract disputes are different in each state. Lawyers practicing in Brookings are versed in the contract law of South Dakota, and can help you to handle the dispute should it go to court. Resolution of the dispute might even be reached outside of court once an attorney's knowledge of the law smoothens negotiations between the two parties.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Most contracts have terms that will decide how a dispute is handled. These are often referred to as Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR clauses. These methods of resolution include 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, occasionally bringing in a third party to find a solution based on local law. An attorney experienced with ADR in Brookings can counsel you through the process if your business dispute is to be resolved by ADR.