What are the benefits of mediation?

It works, It's faster, costs less, and involves less risk than litigation.

About 8 out of 10 mediations settle.

. A mediation can normally be arranged in two to four weeks. Click here to see Mediator Availability.

. The cost of a Mediation starts from £100 plus VAT per party. Click here to see our Charges.

. Risk is minimal; if a party doesn't like what's on offer, they don't have to settle.  But, mostly, they do.

It may be an opportunity.

A Mediation can (sometimes!) assist the parties to a dispute to find solutions that preserve business relationships or that produce a "win / win" scenario.

Ignoring it could be costly!

Litigants have been refused costs orders because they refused to mediate.

It's the best way to tackle disputes

Here's what Mr. Justice Lightman said in July 2003:

"Litigation is a high risk gamble - and the risks and burden of costs today are so substantial that for any well advised [person] litigation must be the course of last resort if any reasonable alternative is available..

The alternative of choice today is mediation.  The law today increasingly recognises the value and importance of mediation as a social necessity..

Give mediation a chance.   Give it a chance at the earliest opportunity..In litigation there is only one winner and that is generally the lawyers.  Mediation is not a universal panacea: it has its limitations and is not always applicable.  But where it is available in my view no sane or conscientious litigators or party will lightly reject it.."

To read the full text of Mr Justice Lightman's speech, in which he sets out the risks that anyone embarking on litigation should know about, and discusses the merits of Mediation please click here.