1.34 Authorities and contractors will generally wish to avoid going through the courts to settle any disputes arising under a PFI contract. Dispute resolution procedures are often more efficient and cost effective. Dispute resolution procedures generally involve four stages: (i) internal resolution between the authority and contractor; if this fails, (ii) provision for independent expert resolution; and, if either party disagrees with the expert's decision, (iii) provision for the dispute to go to arbitration; or (iv) to the courts for a final and binding decision.