Mediation and Arbitration

Mediation and Arbitration are forms of alternative dispute resolution which take place outside court.

Mediation is a consensual process whereby a neutral third party (the mediator) helps both sides to reach an acceptable compromise.  Arbitration is closer to court proceedings: both sides enter into an agreement under which they appoint an arbitrator to adjudicate between them on their dispute, and they are bound by the decision which the tribunal makes.

There are a number of benefits to using mediation or arbitration, as opposed to going to court:

 - The process is, in most cases, considerably cheaper than full blown litigation.

 - It is much faster than going to court.

 - The same person deals with the case from start to finish.

 - Unlike court, you can choose who will deal with your case.

- Arbitration is entirely confidential; in mediation any financial disclosure is not.

The family department offers mediation and arbitration services.

Kathryn Peat is a Resolution qualified mediator, an IFLA accredited arbitrator, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.  In addition, Kathryn has almost 30 years of experience as a family lawyer and 17 years' experience as a part-time judge, sitting in family, civil and crime.

We have facilities for hosting multi-party mediations and arbitrations.