CORD Negotiation • Online • Confidential
Negotiation on CORD
Party-driven, structured negotiation conducted entirely online — reaching mutually agreed resolutions without a third-party decision-maker.
What is Negotiation?
Party-driven resolution, guided by a dedicated case manager
Negotiation is a direct, voluntary process where disputing parties communicate — with or without representatives — to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. The parties retain full control over the outcome; no arbitrator or mediator imposes a decision.
What makes CORD negotiation different is the combination of a dedicated case manager and a secure digital platform. The case manager facilitates the process — scheduling sessions, coordinating the exchange of proposals and documents, and keeping both sides engaged — while the platform provides the structured, private environment for all communications and records. Together, they give parties the support of an institution without taking control away from them.
A settlement reached through CORD negotiation is memorialised in a written agreement, legally enforceable as a contract between the parties.
Why Choose Negotiation?
Full party control
Parties set the agenda, timeline, and terms. The outcome is entirely self-determined — no decision is imposed.
Case manager support
A dedicated CORD case manager coordinates scheduling, manages document exchange, and keeps the process on track — so parties focus on the substance, not the logistics.
Fastest resolution
Negotiation can conclude in days, making it the quickest form of dispute resolution when parties are willing to engage.
Lowest cost
Significantly lower than arbitration or mediation — especially for lower-value disputes between individuals or businesses.
Confidential by default
All exchanges on CORD's platform are private. Nothing disclosed during negotiation can be used in later proceedings.
Relationship-preserving
Direct dialogue helps maintain and even strengthen business relationships through open, structured communication.
How It Works
Structured negotiation in three clear steps
01
File a negotiation request
One party initiates the process on CORD's platform. The other party is notified and invited to participate. Both parties agree to the negotiation scope and ground rules.
02
Exchange proposals online
Parties exchange offers, counteroffers, and supporting documents through CORD's secure platform. All communications are time-stamped and preserved for reference.
03
Record the agreement
Once terms are agreed, CORD generates a written settlement agreement signed by both parties — creating a binding, enforceable record of the negotiated outcome.
The CORD Difference
Facilitated negotiation through an independent institution
Unassisted negotiation often stalls — not because parties lack willingness, but because they lack structure. CORD provides the institutional backbone that keeps negotiations moving: a neutral platform, a dedicated case manager, and a clear process that both sides trust.
Dedicated Case Manager
- Schedules negotiation sessions at times that work for all parties
- Manages the secure exchange of proposals, counteroffers, and supporting documents
- Sends reminders, tracks timelines, and flags when deadlines approach
- Acts as a neutral point of contact — reducing direct friction between parties
- Ensures every step is documented and the process stays on record
Works for Every Combination of Parties
Individual ↔ Individual
Consumer complaints, property disputes, personal agreements — CORD provides structure and neutrality where both sides are unrepresented.
Business ↔ Business
Vendor disputes, contract breaches, commercial claims — a case manager ensures proposals are exchanged formally and timelines respected.
Business ↔ Individual
The most common imbalance in disputes. CORD's institutional oversight levels the playing field and keeps the process fair for both sides.
Why Institution-Facilitated Negotiation Works
When negotiation is facilitated by an independent, reputable institution like CORD, both parties enter the process with greater confidence. The neutral platform, structured rules, and case manager oversight reduce posturing, keep communications productive, and significantly increase the likelihood of reaching a settlement — without the cost or formality of arbitration or mediation.
Providing for Negotiation in Your Contracts
Make negotiation the first step in your dispute resolution ladder
Including a CORD negotiation clause in your contracts creates a structured, time-bound first step before mediation or arbitration. It demonstrates good faith, reduces costs, and often resolves disputes before they escalate.
Sample Negotiation Clause
“In the event of any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement, the parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter through structured negotiation administered by the Centre for Online Resolution of Disputes (CORD) in accordance with its Negotiation Rules. The negotiation shall be conducted online for a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of a written request. If the dispute is not resolved through negotiation, it shall be referred to [mediation / arbitration] in accordance with CORD's applicable rules.”
Ready to begin negotiation?
Start the process online in minutes — no travel, no delays.