Many people look for alternatives, such as arbitration or mediation, to expensive and time-consuming litigation. However, sometimes it is impossible to avoid going to court.
Getting ready for litigation takes a lot of preparation, and the better you prepare the better your chances are of a successful outcome.
Gather all relevant documents
One of the biggest parts of preparation is gathering all relevant evidence. This may include paper files, although HuffPost discusses that many businesses save records and documents electronically. There should be a strategy put in place for the discovery process, and everyone involved must understand the importance of preserving all evidence and avoiding changing it in any way.
Avoid communication with the other side
You may think that you can ease tensions with the other side by reaching out to them and explaining things or trying to work things out. However, the Bellevue Gazette advises avoiding all written and verbal communication. This includes phone calls, emails, meeting in person and texts. Any communication should occur between the attorneys of the two parties, and this should only happen when necessary.
Maintain your normal daily operations
It takes time to prepare for a court battle, and it is also stressful. If not handled correctly, this can severely affect the day-to-day operations of the business. Strive to keep things working as normal, and this applies to all employees, from entry-level to management staff. There should be no changes in daily routines, and employees need to continue to get to work on time, read and reply to emails, meet deadlines, respond to clients’ complaints and hold regular staff meetings.
