The globalization of commerce has facilitated new ways of doing business and developing commercial relationships that are not connected geographically to a specific country. International commerce has created a link between people from very different cultures and backgrounds, which can be both very productive and an impediment, especially since a cultural misunderstanding can cause a negotiation to fail or a business relationship to end. Often, when a dispute arises, the difficulty of resolving it in accordance with both parties’ cultural and legal standards leads to a search for a more efficient way to reconcile the differences. The secret to solve any business dispute is communication. While this might seem like a simple task, there are always outside influences that will impact that communication. Occasionally, we need the help of a third person who is an expert in the process. Under many legal systems lies a tool that is essential, fast and efficient to resolve disputes. That tool is Mediation.

Cross-cultural disputes