A litigator will deal with all stages of a dispute. Normally a solicitor is instructed at the earliest stage of the dispute. In order to stave off formal action there is often a flurry of correspondence between the claimant and the defendant’s solicitors. Sometimes this prevents the case from proceeding any further.
In an effort to reduce the number of cases in court, the Government has been pushing the concept of mediation. Courts can order that mediation takes place even if one side does not want it. Arbitration is also increasingly popular: this involves the case being heard by a panel of three experts, who will judge the dispute. Solicitors and barristers are still needed to offer legal advice on the case. Litigation is a constantly changing area of law and clever dispute management can be key to the success of a company’s case.
A career in dispute resolution involves exciting and varied work and lots of contact with people outside your firm. Litigators need to have an analytical and intellectual mind and a strong sense of judgement. As in other areas of the law, being organised and having good management skills are key. Interpersonal skills are also important, as there is a lot of client contact involved and it is necessary to deal with people in difficult or sensitive situations. The ability to learn quickly is useful, given the ever-developing nature of litigation.
