Q. What are case costs?
A. Case costs are those costs associated with getting your case ready for trial. For example, the filing fees required by the court and expenses for depositions and experts. Case costs vary depending on the complexity of the case.
Remember that if we do not recover anything for you, you will generally not have to pay back the case costs to us. This is not true of all law firms, so make sure you understand what other firms might propose to you. Of course, we will be happy to answer any of your questions about fees or costs before you decide to hire us.
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Q. What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?
A. Mediation is a cooperative process and uses an experienced neutral third party (a mediator) to facilitate consensus building and discussion, in order to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution. In most cases the results of the mediation are non-binding.
Arbitration also employs an experienced neutral third party (an arbitrator), who listens to both sides and makes a decision, which is usually binding.
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Q. Can results from mediation or arbitration be appealed?
A. Because the result of mediation is non-binding, the parties can still bring their issues before a judge, although this is not an appeal. In the case of binding arbitration, an appeals process may take place only if the parties have agreed, before the arbitration begins, to allow one. Generally though, the decision of the arbitrator is final and the appellate process is not available.
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