Legal Question in Construction Law in New Jersey
Arbitration without a lawyer, Bad Idea?
We are currently going into arbitration with a construction company who failed to finish a job or return our deposit. The company advised permits were not needed to do electrical or building work, we obtained them anyway as they were needed. After the electrical work failed, and the town required the electrician to provide his license number, the contractor attempted to charge us more money. All electrical work was to be done to code per contract and we refused to pay an additional $1700. We are going into arbitration, due to a clause, and are not bringing lawyer in. The contractor is bringing a lawyer. I feel the law is on our side and have consulted with the muncipality,who is fining the contractor for violations, and a lawyer and they are in agreement. If I don't bring a lawyer to arbitration will I lose. I don't know what a lawyer could say to make them in the right. Please help, I can't afford to lose my $7000 deposit
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Arbitration without a lawyer, Bad Idea?
Going to court without a lawyer is a very bad idea. Going to arbitration, as you are doing, without a lawyer is not a great idea either. An attorney can help organize the information and documents which you will present to the arbitrator, make it more likely that the arbitrator will understand what you are saying. An attorney will also put the facts into the form of an argument, an attempt to persuade the arbitrator that the other side failed to do what they should have done. An attorney can also tell you where you are wrong, where you did not do what you should have done, and how best to deal with it.
If you would like, give me a call; I am in northern New Jersey. I will discuss this with you; the telephone consultation will be free. I would be happy to help you out.
My contact information can be obtained from the links below, just click on the Attorney Profile link. Let my secretary know you found me through LawGuru.
Disclaimer: Your question and any response does NOT create an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. You can not rely on the statements made by an attorney given over the internet. The exact facts of your situation, including facts which you have not mentioned in your question, may completely change the result for your situation.
Re: Arbitration without a lawyer, Bad Idea?
There is certainly no guarantee that having a lawyer will make your case more successsful. However, by not having an attorney when the other side does may give them an advantage. Considering the amount of money involved, it would seem that hiring an attorney might be cost effective to help protect your rights. You may be savvy, but I would be quite cautious.
There may even be a claim for consumer fraud, by failing to adhere to specific regulations regarding home repair contracts. That claim would entitel you to treble damages, costs and attorney's fees. You probably know the old adage that a man who acts as his own attorney has a fool for a client. That may be ahrsh, but can be sound advice. Good luck on this matter.
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