Dispute resolution

Dealing with contentious issues

Dispute resolution

Proford is a professional association, not an authority, so we have no intention of adjudicating on professional disputes. Nevertheless, it is important for our members to have a forum where disputes can be settled, and for this reason, we recommend mediation to those who contact us about cases such as conflicts between language service providers, a dispute between a freelance translator and a translation company, or a difference of opinion between a language service provider and the end customer.

It is our experience that solutions may differ from case to case. Because any agreement that may emerge from the mediation process results from the will of the two parties, the decision reached does not reflect the official position of Proford. If, however, the parties believe that publication of the solution will benefit the industry as a whole, we are happy to assist them in this respect.

About mediation

Most people are wary of conflict, whether in their private lives or in business, though we all know that differences of opinion are inevitable. Few, however, consider that the conflict could be resolved with a positive outcome, both for the parties concerned and for the industry. In order to achieve what is known in game theory as a win-win situation, it is important to establish the rules for the process well in advance, and to have an independent person leading the process who will consistently guide the parties towards compromise. This is known as mediation, and the person leading the process is the mediator. One feature of this method, which is widely used in English-speaking and Western European countries, is that the mediator is not allowed to give advice or even suggest a solution; the role of the mediator is solely to guide the parties to a joint solution by getting at their real intentions. Whether a solution is reached depends on the readiness of the two parties to compromise. The aim of the mediator is not to reach an agreement at all costs, but to find a solution that incorporates the interests of both parties.

Contact

Contact us!

1056 Budapest, Belgrád rakpart 26.

+36 1 239 80 43

info[at]proford[dot]hu

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