RE:RE:RE:Rodtip --- & he would have 2 say negotiate within 10 daysIf I was IBC, I would not negotiate now, unless IBC is convinced that its position is very very weak.
For now, only UCU's position is on the court record in NS. All the arguments, facts and issues are based on UCU's position.
If IBC wants to settle, it needs leverage. If you have not filed anything in the public record, what arguments are you going to advance to settle? You need leverage, and if you want leverage in a legal dispute, you need arguments to destabilize the other party.
So on my side, I do not think that a settlement is likely at this stage. IBC will certainly want to file a defence and maybe a counter-claim and then they would be in a better position to at least discuss not only the action and what's UCU wants, but the defence also.
Another fact tells me that a settlement at this stage is unlikely...Why file an expert report (and pay for it) if the intention is to settle early? IBC mentioned many times that the expertise was not contradicted by another expert and I am sure that it would do the same in NS.
All that to say that given the stage of the dispute and the attitude of IBC, I am afraid that a settlement is unlikely before the filing of the defence. But who knows, I would not fall off my chair if a settlement is reached. Sometimes I feel that this dispute is the best soap in town.
Moulouk