Stress Awareness Month is held every April and aims to share knowledge on the causes and cures for stress.
Millions of people are experiencing high levels of stress and it is damaging to our health. Stress can play a significant factor in the development of physical problems as well as mental health problems including depression and anxiety.
If you do find yourself in a stressful situation, our Dispute Resolution team advises you to seek legal advice early. Your solicitor will help you to narrow down the issues, be clear about what is in dispute and what evidence you need.
Katy Rider, a Dispute Resolution solicitor in the team, says: “People often want to save money by not instructing a solicitor. But instructing one after you have already tried to resolve the dispute unsuccessfully can end up costing much more.”
Alleviate stress when in a legal dispute
Here are some more of her top tips to alleviate stress when facing a legal dispute:
- Do not ignore communication from your opponent – unanswered letters or court papers could lead to a court order or county court judgment being made in your absence.
- Search your records and documents – you will need these and may find relevant evidence that you had forgotten about.
- Be willing to compromise – settlement is usually the most satisfactory option, and you need to be willing to negotiate. The alternative can often be expensive and result in lengthy court proceedings.
- Decide what you want to achieve – having an aim in mind can provide focus. What do you want from your opponent?
- Do not act rashly – consider any offers you receive or make carefully to avoid prejudicing your position in the future.
Article by Solicitor, Katy Rider.
