Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 03 NOVEMBER 2026

A Practical Guide To Early Dispute Management

The trajectory of many business disputes is determined long before anyone issues a demand or a claim. What happens in the first few weeks after a problem surfaces can set the cost, direction, and, in some cases, the outcome of the dispute itself.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

The trajectory of many business disputes is determined long before anyone issues a demand or a claim. What happens in the first few weeks after a problem surfaces can set the cost, direction, and, in some cases, the outcome of the dispute itself.

In the early days and weeks of a commercial conflict, it can often be tempting to either react or adopt a more passive, “wait-and-see” approach, depending on the circumstances. Someone fires off a sharp e-mail, a payment is withheld, or everyone waits and hopes the problem fades.

The tips below cover some of the important steps and considerations in those early days, where managers, executives, and in-house counsel can lay the groundwork for success down the line. The discussion covers:

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

See more popular content from