Minimizing Breach of Contract Disputes 

 Posted on February 28, 2025 in Business Law

Business disputes are an inevitable part of doing business. That is particularly the case when it comes to breach of contract disputes, given that contracts are an essential part of business dealings. However, it is in a company’s best financial interest to reduce and manage legal disputes.

By taking certain steps, businesses can significantly reduce the potential for breach of contract disputes, both before any issues arise and if trouble starts to brew. An experienced Greenwich, CT contract dispute attorney can help you navigate contract disputes before they become litigation.

Draft a Strong and Clear Contract

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in the legal world, and breach of contract disputes are no exception. Ensure that your contracts are well drafted in that they:

• Reflect the agreed-upon terms

• Do not contain any terms that are legally unenforceable

• Avoid vague language as much as possible

• Are tailored to specific circumstances and business requirements 

• Contain important and detailed information on any requirements such as performance

• Are free of errors and typos

• Contain terms for dispute resolution, ideally starting with mediation 

Watch for Early Signs

Breach of contract disputes do not usually erupt from one day to the next. They build up over time and sometimes stem from misunderstandings. In many breach of contract disputes, there will be early signs that a dispute is brewing. For example, the tone of email communications might change and become more formal, with language copied and pasted from legal documents. Late delivery or late payment are also signs that a problem may be developing. Watching for these early signs, and strategizing a response to them aimed at avoiding a dispute early on, can minimize contract disputes.

Audit Contracts

Especially in a larger organization with many contracts, a strong contract management system that can flag any issues can be very helpful. Additionally, auditing, revising and re-negotiating contracts as needed can help to flag any potential issues and minimize disputes, because the company can deal with the issues right away.

Communicate, Negotiate, and Mediate

To avoid contract disputes turning into breach of contract litigation, it is important to communicate. Sometimes misunderstandings occur. People take things personally. Communication can help resolve issues before they become too big. If there is a genuine problem, negotiating a solution or entering into mediation can avoid a long and costly breach of contract lawsuit.

Call a Greenwich, CT Contract Dispute Attorney

At Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC, our attorneys are skilled at navigating contract disputes. Our experienced New York Metro Area business dispute attorneys can use alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve your breach of contract dispute if efforts to avoid a dispute have failed. If the dispute turns into litigation, we can represent you in your contract dispute. Call our offices at 203-661-6000 for a complimentary consultation today.