Flexible Outcome

Parties can agree a result not within the court's power to award

Flexible Process

Mediation / early neutral evaluation / expert determination

Flexible Timing

Not dependent upon court listing arrangements

Flexible Location

Any convenient premises with 2 or 3 rooms

Speed of process

Often within 28 days of request

Joint Selection of Neutral

Choose who will hear your case

Parties control resolution

No imposed decision - agree, narrow the issues in dispute, or walk away (if prepared to go back to court).

Not bound by Court Rules

No legal technicalities e.g. about evidence or documents

Less disruptive of time

Avoid spending time on lists of documents, searching for evidence, and attending court as a witness

Reduced costs

The costs of preparing for and attending a trial can exceed the amount at stake and exhaust funds - mediation often resolves disputes in a day and for a defined fee

No need for lawyers...

...but they can help. Disputes are settled by considering the parties' interests, not just their legal rights.

Addresses imbalances of power

e.g. company or local authority v private individual

Less disruptive to relationships

Parties may not want to destroy their working relationship with a supplier, customer or business associate because of one dispute which (with goodwill on both sides) could be resolved compatibly with continuing that relationship.

Confidentiality

Mediation meeting held in private, and discussions all "Without Prejudice".