Contract Disputes

Contract Dispute Lawyers in Sandy Utah

Common issues in the legal world are contract disputes. Contracts are needed for every business dealing and employment matter. There are many causes of contract disputes as there are multiple parties and moving parts involved. This is why clear contracts developed from the beginning are crucial for a long-lasting business.

Disputes can happen at any stage of the contract or during the development of the contract. Contract disputes can range in severity which will determine the legal proceedings needed to reach a solution. From negotiation to litigation, broken contracts are not something to take lightly.

Payment Disputes

Payments or service contracts are some of the most broken or unfulfilled contracts. Disputes arise over past due payments, failure to pay, misrepresented costs, or the amount needing to be paid has changed. Clients and business owners may dispute payment timelines without a clear timeline and payment structure.

Ambiguous Terms

Contract ambiguity in language is another common dispute. When terms are not clearly defined, there can be multiple interpretations and differing views of how responsibilities should be carried out. Avoid using vague terms when developing your contract to prevent a future dispute. Leaving room for interpretation can result in more disagreements.

Change Orders

For industries like construction, change orders may be needed to amend contracts due to unforeseen circumstances. This can be a cause for dispute because it modifies the original timeline, cost, or size of the project. Disagreements can arise when a customer feels a change order isn’t necessary. Contractors or project managers submit change orders to help avoid disputes as customers may feel they are being scammed when a change isn’t communicated. When a change order involves a higher total cost and pushes the project back, customers may see a contract dispute as necessary.

Preventing Contract Disputes

There are some clear ways to prevent disputes or litigation when it comes to your business. One of the biggest ways to ensure you don’t run into any snags is to create a clear contract from the beginning. Detailed timelines, clear wording, and defined payment terms will limit disputes down the line. Minimizing ambiguity will make sure that there are no gray areas if someone were to submit a complaint.

Having negotiation and clear communication will help a project go smoothly. Developing a contract in good faith will help both parties get what they want out of the agreement. When both parties are involved in the contract creation process, all of their needs will be met and will avoid disputes down the road. A beneficial agreement will help both parties understand the other’s perspective and have an agreeable contract in the eye of the law.

Legal Resolution Techniques

Even if you put in the effort to prevent disputes, there are problems that can still arise. Once someone files a complaint, you will need a resolution technique to avoid further concern. Here are some of the resolution techniques that our legal team at WW Partners can help with.

• Negotiation: For smaller disputes, negotiation can help parties through their disagreements without a long legal process. Without the need for formal intervention, you will save time, and money, and preserve your relationships with the other business. Negotiation can often be between the two parties and doesn’t require a lawyer to be involved. A lawyer can advise you before the negotiation on what is reasonable or what language to use.
• Mediation: If negotiation doesn’t feel right, mediation is a similar option that can help you avoid lots of legal fees. Mediation will have a neutral third party there to help facilitate conversation and find a resolution. The third party will help develop a resolution as a cheaper alternative to litigation. This will ensure that both parties are satisfied without the need for a trial or ruling.
• Arbitration: A more formal option is arbitration where an arbitrator hears all the evidence and arguments of each side before making a binding decision. Some contracts will have an arbitration clause to ensure that disputes are handled this way. Keeping a dispute out of the court system but still providing a way for a legally binding solution can limit further disputes.
• Litigation: As a final resort, litigation may be needed to make a final ruling. A judge or jury will hear all the evidence and make a decision that fits the state and local laws. Litigation is more costly and time-consuming than any other resolution. It could damage your relationship with the other party for the future as well.

Achieve an Effective Resolution for Your Contract Dispute with WW Partners

If you’re facing a contract dispute, the Utah WW Partners team is here to help you find an efficient and cost-effective resolution. Our experienced litigation team is well-equipped to handle legal issues across business and civil litigation matters, including contract breaches and disputes.

When you choose WW Partners, you’re gaining a strategic legal team dedicated to delivering effective outcomes. Our attorneys utilize a range of methods to resolve disputes—whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or court litigation. We are committed to being your reliable advocates, striving to achieve favorable results while minimizing unnecessary costs.