AS 4608-1999

1 - AS 4608-1999 GUIDE TO THE PREVENTION, HANDLING AND RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
4 - PREFACE
4 - CONTENTS
5 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
7 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE
7 - SCOPE
7 - PURPOSE
7 - REFERENCES AND SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
7 - EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED
8 - SECTION 2 ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE PREVENTION, HANDLING AND RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
8 - Essential Principles
8 - EFFECTIVE PROCESSES
9 - OPEN and EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
9 - GOOD FAITH
10 - SECTION 3 PROCESSES FOR THE PREVENTION OF DISPUTES
10 - Dispute prevention
10 - POLICY
10 - RESOURCES
11 - PREVENTION PROCEDURES
11 - COMMUNICATION
12 - MONITORING AND REVIEW
13 - SECTION 4 PROCESSES FOR THE HANDLING OF DISPUTES
13 - Dispute handling
13 - DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM EARLY
13 - DETERMINING INFORMATION NEEDS
14 - PREPARING TO NEGOTIATE
14 - NEGOTIATING
15 - SECTION 5 PROCESSES FOR THE RESOLUTION OF DISTPUTES
15 - Dispute resolution
15 - Factors that can influence process choice
16 - Limitations of ADR Processes
16 - FACILITATIVE PROCESSES
18 - ADVISORY PROCESSES
19 - DETERMINATIVE PROCESSES
21 - SECTION 6 DESIGNING THE SYSTEM
21 - RESEARCH THE EXISTING SYSTEM
21 - CONSULT
21 - DESIGN THE SYSTEM
21 - CONSULT ON THE DESIGNED SYSTEM
21 - IMPLEMENT
22 - EVALUATE
23 - APPENDIX A - REFERENCES AND SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
23 - REFERENCES
23 - ORGANIZATIONS
24 - APPENDIX B - GLOSSARY OF TERMS (EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED)
27 - APPENDIX C - EXAMPLE OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION CONTRACT CLAUSE

Provides guidance to businesses on the prevention, handling and resolution of disputes. The initial approach is to establish practices within the business that help to avoid disputes arising. Open communication, clear understanding and acting in good faith are all attributes that can be adopted and implemented. A clear policy on prevention procedures can also be of assistance. If differences do arise, then practices to prevent these from blowing out to a dispute can be put in place, including meetings and discussions to understand each other's points of view. The possibility for negotiating an outcome can be considered together with what is negotiable and what is not. For dispute resolution, there are a number of alternatives to traditional court proceedings, some of which are mediation, conciliation, facilitation, neutral evaluation and case appraisal. The Standard gives guidance on these alternatives, together with some suggestions on where it is appropriate to use each alternative. Suitable references are included to enable businesses to follow up in greater details the various aspects included in the Standard.

First published as AS 4608-1999.