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Mediation is the modern, practical, commercial way to resolve disputes.
Mediation costs less than going to court. Mediation fees start from £300 per party (plus VAT). Click to see our mediation fees.
Mediation takes less time than going to court. A mediation can usually be arranged within two to four weeks whereas court proceedings can drag on for months or years. Click to see our mediators' diaries to see how soon a mediation could be arranged.
Mediation is confidential. Most trials are held in public.
Mediation is effective. Most mediations settle on the day of the mediation. Those that don't, often settle within a couple of weeks.
Mediation is risk free. The outcome of litigation can never be guaranteed. There is always the risk of an unsatisfactory outcome. Whereas at mediation, if a party does not like what is on offer, they do not have to settle. Mostly, however, the parties are able to find a solution to which both can agree.
The parties remain in control of the mediation process. In court the procedure is determined by the judge and the rules of court. Mediation is more flexible, with the parties maintaining control. None of our mediators will force a party to be in the same room as the other party if they do not want to be.
Mediation can be an opportunity to repair damaged relationships (personal or business): the court process is adversarial.
Mediation can result in a "win/win" outcome. Court proceedings usually result in a winner and a loser - or sometimes two losers.
Mediation can achieve better solutions. The parties have an opportunity to explore flexible solutions in a way that a judge cannot. A judge has to determine the facts and apply the law to the facts in a very rigid way, which may suit neither side.
Ignoring mediation can be costly! The courts can impose a costs penalty against a party who refuses to mediate.
