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them independently so that the costs and benefits of the BATNA can be estimated.
Further legal advice can also be sought to help the parties.
(http://www.colorado.eduiconflictlpeaceitreatmentirealtest.hh111)
IDENTIFYING "RIPE" TIMES FOR NEGOTIATIONS
As mentioned above negotiations can only take place successfully when the
time is ripe for that i.e. it must not be too early or too late. Ifone ofthe parties feels it is
stronger than the other it can drag the conflict with little financial loss, until it feels it
can get a better deal through negotiation. This would mean the time is ripe for
negotiation. This IS called a "power-based approach"
((http://www.idea.intlpublications/democracvanddeeprootedconflictlhome.htm)
A conflict also becomes ripe when both parties have reached a stalemate,
because the conflict is costing a lot while nothing is gained. They may have to reach a
settlement even though they were not originally willing to do so.
When new negotiators come into the process they bring in new ideas without
the "negative stereotypes and emotions" of their predecessors.(p.l) This may cause the
party that was having a problem to change their minds and be ready to negotiate and
arrive at a settlement.
In order to assess whether the simation is ripe for negotiation the following
questions may be asked:
}- Are all ofthe parties interested in negotiating?
}- Ifnot, why is one ofthe parties reluctant?
}- Can anything be done to make negotiation more attractive to them?
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