To support you in a world of law

A conflict is a painful, complex and uncertain moment.
It needs to be considered and dealt with as a whole around a single objective: to satisfy the interest of our clients.
Several methods can be used to achieve this objective.
Our role is to determine the most suitable method in collaboration with our clients.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods

There are alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, which favor finding an agreement between the parties, sometimes with the intervention of a third party.

They can take the form of direct negotiations: the parties meet, discuss and try to find an agreement, or in the form of organized negotiations, mediation or conciliation, under the supervision of a third party.

There are also methods half-way between the ADR methods and the traditional court actions which consist in the parties, while negotiating, presenting their arguments and evidences just as they would in an ongoing legal proceeding. This method of conflict resolution, called a participative proceeding agreement, is arranged through a signed agreement between the two parties. The benefit of this method is that, if it fails, the parties can take immediate action in court with a much faster proceeding than an ordinary one.

These alternative methods are not always appropriate or even possible. Nevertheless, the French law as well as most contracts impose that the parties should try to settle the case amicably prior to taking an action before a court.

Arbitration

Nominated arbitrators will rule on the dispute according to a particular procedure and in accordance with the arbitration rules chosen by the parties. The lawyer intervenes alongside his client just like in an ordinary proceeding.

Modes of Legal Settlement

We assist and defend our clients before all national courts: first instance, appeal, cassation. If necessary, we rely on trustworthy correspondents due to geographical distance or because we are required to do so by the law (appeal, cassation).

ADDAX Avocats also defend their clients in front of supranational courts: the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for trademarks, drawings and patterns, the General Court of the European Union (EGC) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Thanks to our membership in international networks and to the personal knowledge of the members we recommend, we assist our clients abroad by finding them a competent lawyer at a negotiated rate. Whatever the continent, Europe, America, Asia, Australia, Africa, we will do our best to find the right lawyer.

In any case, we defend our clients with passion and determination. We stand by them until the end of the process, whether positive or negative.