Why Use a Lawyer?

Let’s face it, lawyers can be expensive. And sometimes, even after years of legal back-and-forth, you’re no closer to a resolution. That’s exactly what happened to a homeowner here in New Zealand who found himself in a $200,000 dispute with his building company. Three years in, with lawyers engaged but no resolution in sight, he was stuck in a stressful, costly stalemate.

Enter yours truly, with almost 2 decades of construction and contract experience. I was introduced to the homeowner to see if I could help. And being someone who loves a good challenge (😜), I decided to give it a go.

Here’s the thing: sometimes, all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes and a willingness to listen. In this case, the core issue was simple, neither party felt heard. The technicalities of the dispute had clouded the real problem, and emotions were running high.

So, what did I do?

1. I stuck to the facts.
   I cut through the noise and focused on what really mattered. No name-calling, no arguments, just clear, straightforward communication.
2. I dumbed down the technical issues.
   Let’s be honest, not everyone understands the nitty-gritty of construction contracts or legal jargon. I broke everything down into bite-sized chunks so both parties could understand the key points.
3. I acted as an impartial negotiator.
   Being neutral allowed me to approach the situation in a friendlier, less adversarial way. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get people to the table.

A few emails and two meetings later, I managed to help both parties reach an agreement. Was it perfect? No. Both sides walked away a little unhappy—which, ironically, is often the sign of a fair compromise. But the important thing is that they walked away without the stress, arguments, and ongoing legal fees.

Oh, and the cost? Let’s just say it was a fraction of what a legal battle would’ve cost. (Yes, I’m being dramatic with the 0.0001% figure—don’t bother calculating it!) Of course, the agreement still needs to be formalised by a lawyer, but the hard part—getting everyone on the same page—was done.

The Takeaways:

• Talk it out. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation where both parties feel heard.
• Keep it simple. Dumb down the technical stuff and focus on the facts.
• Be human. You don’t have to be an $#%hole to get your point across. A little empathy goes a long way.

I’ll admit, I’m pretty proud of how this turned out. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best solutions come from stepping back, listening, and approaching problems with a bit of humanity.

So, if you’re stuck in a dispute and don’t want to use a lawyer, consider this: maybe all you need is someone who can listen, simplify, and help you find common ground.

Be More Human. ❤️