A pilot mediation program in Manchester that is aimed at lowering the expense of civil legal disputes is due to launch on September 1.  

Sessions will take place at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and assist disputing parties that are involved in cases that involve claims of more than 10,000 pounds.   It will also be available for disputes in which one party seeks something non-monetary.  

Costs associated with mediation sessions will range from 190 pounds to 780 pounds, depending on the value of the case. 

The program is overseen by Manchester Law Society, as well as registered mediators of the Civil Mediation Council, and ProMediate (UK), which is a registered mediation provider.   There have been similar programs operated in Devon and Central London.  

According to Peter Causton, a mediator and the chief executive at ProMediate, “Practitioners will be aware that the courts encourage parties to use mediation to resolve disputes and that a refusal to mediate can result in costs sanctions.   The program will provide a quality assured, cost effective, responsive, local service for practitioners.   This scheme is designed to provide access to mediation for mid-value cases which Briggs LJ identified as being not adequately catered for in the current system.   It will provide a resolution service, at proportionate cost to the participants, where the cost of an all-day private mediation might be disproportionate”.

Everyone involved in the program hope the option of mediation allows the court system to not be overloaded by civil cases, and to help people resolve disputes without the expense and frustration of court.