The popularity of mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution has increased steadily since it became an inherent part of the Court system and was established in the Civil Procedure Rules. This guide shows that mediation is used in dealing with claims and legal disputes, and also in effective conflict management and dispute prevention.

The popularity of mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution has increased steadily since it became an inherent part of the Court system and was established in the Civil Procedure Rules. With the emphasis on flexibility, confidentiality, and on parties mutually working towards a negotiated agreement, mediation avoids the rigidity, cost and intrinsic risks associated with litigation.

As this clear, practical guide demonstrates, mediation provides a much-needed antidote to the more adversarial dispute resolution methods which do not take into account the parties' commercial and personal interests. Guiding the reader through the practicalities - how to decide whether to mediate; what to expect during the mediation itself; and how to optimise the opportunities that it offers - and using numerous examples of successful mediations, this book explains how mediation can be used to ensure an effective resolution in which you can be confident. Importantly, it shows too that mediation is not only used in dealing with claims and legal disputes, but is also an invaluable component in effective conflict management and dispute prevention.