Why Mediation?
Forget courts and lawyers! Mediation is a way of getting round a table with a knowledgeable, neutral third party so that both sides can present their cases and find agreement.
Speed
Mediation is fast. Arrangements are less formal than court. Your dispute can be sorted in less time than it takes to serve a claim, let alone see a case litigated to the end in court. A typical commercial mediation lasts half a day (though some take several days). The same dispute might take years to resolve through the courts.
Cost
Mediation is the lowest cost way to resolve a dispute. A low cost case in the County court may set back each side by £20,000. A more complicated claim in the High Court could cost half a million pounds. With mediation, there is just one payment to The Mediator. Further, neither side necessarily becomes aware of the financial strength of the other of you, so there is less strategic bullying.
Stress
Litigation is stressful - very stressful. Even an appointment with your solicitor may be stressful. Everyone finds a court appearance stressful. Before The Mediator, the emphasis is on a friendly environment where the parties can discuss their differences openly.
Confidentiality and reputation
Court proceedings are on public record. A civil trial may be attended by anyone. Mediation is confidential. Only the parties to it know anything about it. Reputations are saved, shareholders are happy. There are no nasty qualifications to your accounts which may be seen by your bank manager.
Flexibility
Court procedures are laid down by government. You cannot get a judgement that is outside the court’s power to make. Mediation permits more imaginative solutions which may be more appropriate or helpful. You can consider settlements which might involve not only money but questions of timing, quality, changes to established procedures, confidentiality, Internet silence and other matters which may be outside the power of a court to impose.