Resolution Revolution
May 7 2009: A team of Australia’s leading conflict resolution
specialists, headed by Former NSW Supreme Court Commercial Division
Chief Judge, Professor The Hon. Andrew Rogers QC, is launching a new
approach, adding business as well as legal expertise to the resolution
process.
By providing a choice of processes, conflict resolution experts and
highly experienced specialists in a wide range of business, government
and technical fields Endispute is confident it will deliver significant
time, financial and efficiency savings in the increasingly complex,
costly and time-consuming conflict resolution journey.
Prof. Rogers has joined forces with distinguished Dispute Resolution
practitioner, Prof. Tania Sourdin, and former Chairman of Partners of
Dibbs Crowther, Mr Peter Everett, to establish Endispute. Endispute
expands on the traditional resolution approach, providing clients with a
choice of legal and sector-specific experts as well as greater
empowerment and control of the actual resolution process used.
“The Endispute approach allows us to provide a very practical and
tailored solution with complete transparency on all aspects including
fees and timings,” Prof Rogers said.
“We’ve cherry-picked the best of the resolution processes available
around the world, injected a case-management approach and supplemented
the legal nous available with practical business expertise to ensure a
no-nonsense, no-surprise solution whatever the issue.”
“Additionally, in order to expedite the particular conflict resolution
process which is often delayed until an individual expert or
practitioner is available, we have a selection of leading legal and
sector experts immediately available.”
“In addition to our primary panel of senior retired High Court, Supreme
Court and Federal Court Judges, each chosen for their experience in
commercial disputes, we’ve compiled three Expert Panels of leading
players in Banking and Finance; Legal and Government; and speciality
areas such as Environment and IT.”
“The initial complimentary consultation allows us to fully understand
the conflict and recommend the most suitable process for resolution
whether it be informal facilitation, evaluation or formal arbitration as
well as assist the parties in their selection of members of the Panels.
The end result is that Endispute manages the conflict process for our
clients, and our clients are able to remain focused on their business
while also being in control of the key aspects of their dispute
resolution.”
The growing trend towards mediation and alternate dispute resolution and
resulting boom in demand for mediation and arbitration practitioners and
the growth in complex disputes has meant a new, more sophisticated
approach was necessary, Professor Sourdin, Professor of Conflict
Resolution at the University of Queensland, and an experienced mediator,
conciliator and adjudicator, said.
“The Federal Government and a number of Courts are all looking to
greater use of pre-action processes. Traditionally, dispute resolution
has either been facilitated by individuals with an emphasis on mediation
and some arbitration, or through centres or Courts which do not provide
the choice of processes or personnel with the range of experience that
Endispute provides.
“The Commonwealth Government has recognised the appropriateness of
people seasoned in business and government applying their experience to
resolving disputes in the areas of mergers, acquisitions and related
areas by creating the Takeover Panel. The Panel draws on the expertise
of both lawyers and those with experience in a wide variety of business
areas. Its success and acceptance demonstrates how facilitators with
more than simple legal experience can, and do, bring great benefit in
the resolution of business disputes.”
“Endispute provides a multi-dimensional approach, match-making the
client with the most appropriate solution to achieve the best possible
outcome in the most efficient and effective way. That saves time and
money for our clients, directly in terms of legal expenses and time, and
indirectly through minimal disruption to their ability to focus on
business as usual while we sort out the issues at hand.”
Endispute’s ability to handle all aspects of the dispute process in a
way which makes sense from a legal and business perspective is believed
to be an Australian first.
“ADR Chambers, a Toronto-based organisation, takes a similar approach
but we believe Endispute is ground-breaking within the Australian
market,” Mr Everett said.
“I’ve been involved in numerous mediated resolutions and settlement
negotiations over my career and it really is true that lawsuits consume
time, money, friends and businesses if mishandled. The Endispute
approach in allowing you to transfer the stress of managing a dispute
from beginning to end makes sense.”
“As long ago as the early 1900’s the Courts also appointed Judges with
specialist experience by creating commercial courts. It is on this kind
of experience that Endispute now builds to expand the range of options
available to business in the resolution of commercial
conflict”.“Endispute will combine legal knowledge, business, government
and technical experience in the form of unique panels which will bring
their combined knowledge and talents to bear on the resolution of
commercial conflicts in accordance with law – but also using commercial
and technical judgment.”
Endispute is headquartered in Sydney’s MLC Centre and operates
nationally and internationally. More information is available at
MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Mair, REPUBLIC 0416 18 18 76
LJ Loch, REPUBLIC 0439 633 429
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