The term "commercial" or "general" mediator means that an individual has been trained in mediation techniques designed to help the facilitation of disputes involving money, contracts of every kind, disputes between companies and individuals, disputes in the workplace, disputes between individuals (including boundary disputes but not 'noisy neighbour' disputes) and many other types of dispute.

Commercial mediators often have specialist experience in particular fields, such as computer contract disputes, construction, or personal injury.

This is a very broad category and you should look here if your dispute is not a family or a community case. Family and community mediation techniques differ from commercial mediation techniques. Some mediators have been trained in those areas as well, in which case their names will appear in each relevant category.

Read this Important Note before instructing a mediator.

Mediators in East Anglia is a non-profit company limited by guarantee. It provides the courts and litigants with a list of independent mediators practising in East Anglia.

When mediators apply to join MiEA, it checks that they are accredited by a recognised organisation as qualified mediators, and that they have the appropriate insurance.

However, MiEA can do no more than this and does not warrant the accuracy of information provided by the mediators, including their details in MiEA's brochure or on this website.

Any queries or requests for further information should be directed to the individual concerned.

Parties wishing to mediate their dispute enter into a contract directly with the Mediator they have chosen. MiEA is not a party to any agreement to mediate and shall not be made a party nor held liable in any court of law for any alleged error or failure on the Mediator's part.

Mediators cannot give legal or other advice to any party about a particular case. Some MiEA members can accept professional instructions from one party only, but not as a mediator. Once an individual has been instructed by or has given advice to a party, for example as a solicitor, he or she cannot then act as mediator in the dispute.

If you need legal advice please consult a solicitor or contact a Citizens' Advice Bureau.