what are the advantages?

The main advantages of mediation are that matters are dealt with cheaply, quickly, privately and that parties are in control of the process and make their own decisions.

The cost of mediation is about 10% of the cost of a contested hearing.

Mediation sessions are 90 minutes long, and on average between two and four sessions are needed. The costs are explained on our charges page.

Everything in the mediation is private, so parties need not feel that their private lives are exposed. They make their own decisions and do not have to proceed with any option that they do not feel is right for them giving them certainty.

If they leave matters to be decided by the Court, they are totally out of control of the result, and risk coming away with a solution that is away from their favoured result. Once a decision is made by a Judge, and an Order made, there is no way of altering the result, however disappointing it may be!