Litigation and dispute resolution is an everyday part of doing business in the building and construction world. Although no builder, contractor, subcontractor or owner has the luxury of surplus time, money or energy to commit to resolving such disputes.

The key response must be risk management and damage minimisation.

You need to manage the risk that there will be a dispute, that you will be sued or need to sue another to enforce your legal rights. An ounce of prevention must be better than a pound of cure is right on the mark.

You need to be proactive rather than reactive. Do not leave it till it is too late and the dispute has grown until it overtakes you.

To pre-empt and minimise your risk is achievable with appropriate and early advice, competent, clear and precise documentation and well structured internal policies.

You also need to minimise the damage that disputes and litigation can cause in terms of the financial, legal, time and emotional cost to you. Each can be significant.

It is valueless to spend more that the disputed amount on legal and litigation costs. To avoid this you need a practical strategy for dispute resolution from the outset, your very first appointment and a clear and comprehensive estimate of the costs and time frame for resolution.

Frampton Legal has:

• A strong market reputation for effectively and economically dealing with commercial disputes before litigation is commenced, at court or in the Queensland Civil & Adminstrative Tribunal (QCAT) and in alternate dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation and arbitration.

• Core expertise and a proven track record over 24 years as a legal practitioner (both barrister and solicitor) and court room advocate.