Quick Judgments Are Not Everything

As it turned out, we didn't fully understand the actual needs of companies. We thought: quick judgments, convenience, affordability, and online – what's not to like! We were mistaken. As a result, we had to change our operating model. Stop focusing solely on online arbitration. Start aiming to satisfy companies' needs comprehensively, not piecemeal. 

Electronic Centre for Arbitration and Mediation at SNRP

This required a clear separation of two areas. Online arbitration and mediation became one of the services available at Ultima RATIO. The arbitration court changed its name to the Electronic Centre for Arbitration and Mediation at the Association of Notaries of the Republic of Poland in Warsaw. The regulations for conducting proceedings also changed. However, the Centre is still the "old" court and hears cases based on records made by companies on usual terms. Meanwhile, the IT owner is responsible for the remaining services: Causa Finita S.A.

Agreements Are Worthless if They Can't Be Enforced

Thanks to these changes, we were able to become a platform on which companies create, enter into, and enforce contracts.

How so?

Starting from the beginning, before companies enter into cooperation with someone, they want to ensure they are not dealing with fraudsters. This issue is crucial because you can't build a scalable effect by simply "looking at IDs" of potential clients. Ultima RATIO. has an interesting proposition for such companies. They can quickly conduct due diligence on prospective clients with us. Specifically, they can check their data in BIG InfoMonitor and ERIF. They can also verify data in the PESEL register, the National Debt Register, on debt exchanges, and in other similar sources.

Agreements That Cannot Be Challenged in Future Arbitration

Once companies know who they are dealing with, they aim to sign "ironclad" agreements. Because you never know with clients. Even the vetted ones. At this stage, we support companies by offering them a tool for signing agreements with a trusted profile. Of course, today anyone can sign a document this way at gov.pl. However, our procedure differs from the generally available one. Companies send links to agreements to their clients. This makes the procedure much simpler, and companies have full control over the entire process. Their clients can only sign those agreements that the companies send them.

Signing agreements at Ultima RATIO. has another benefit. We can guarantee that agreements entered into with us will be indisputable in future arbitration matters.

Responding to the First Signs of Trouble

The next stage where companies need support is managing relationships with troublesome clients. Our statistics indicate that such clients constitute on average 1-2%. They often do not pay invoices. There are also sometimes disputes over the quality of products or services. Ultima RATIO. offers a very effective tool for so-called "soft debt collection". It allows for calling in debtors for payment and engaging in discussions on amicably resolving arising issues. Independently, without involving legal offices and debt collection agencies. 

What differentiates us from other services of this type?

With us, debt collection is a logical element of a certain process. It starts as soon as agreements are signed and ends with a bailiff.

In agreements with clients, companies include arbitration clauses.

Thanks to this, clients at this stage already know that companies use effective tools to enforce contracts. So when companies later report problems at Ultima RATIO., their clients take them much more seriously. They know that discussions can be turned into full-fledged arbitration with a single button. Arbitration inevitably leads to judgments. These lead to enforcement by a bailiff. Worse still, it takes no longer than 3-4 months and cannot be delayed by tricks known from state courts. Such as witnesses from abroad or clever lawyers.

Bypass State Courts

Online arbitration remains Ultima RATIO.'s flagship service. Together with the Notary Association and Mr. President Paweł Orłowski, we continually refine procedures and optimise the duration of cases. Proceedings remain quick, convenient, affordable, and online. However, they are now also available in subscription packages. Arbitrators include legal advisers and attorneys. We want our arbitrators to be well-acquainted with the businesses of the parties.

5 Agreements Per Month for Free

In summary, the online arbitration itself did not require change. We simply needed to adapt Ultima RATIO. to clients' needs.

Nonetheless, we know what sceptics will say: this is all already available. Yes. Large companies and institutions have elaborate procedures to support contract enforcement. They purchase individual services from different providers and "piece" them together. They have the money, the people, and the time for this. 

However, for micro, small, and medium-sized firms, the situation is different. Consider:

• Separate agreements with BIGs.

• Separate lawyers for agreements.

• Separate tools for digitising documents.

• Separate tools for signing agreements.

• Separate agreements with debt collection companies.

• Even more lawyers for debt collection.

• Courts. 

This all is just too complicated and too expensive to "normally" make use of!

We trust that firms in this segment will become our ambassadors. We warmly invite you to collaborate. Anyone who sets up a free user account can sign and send up to 5 agreements to others for signing for free each month. Soon, they will also be able to conduct quick due diligence on 1 client per month. 

Robert Szczepanek

Ultima RATIO. Team