AS 4608-1999

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.