Civil, Commercial and Community Mediation

Mediation is a confidential, structured conversation, led by an impartial mediator, that helps the parties reach a settlement both can live with. Nothing is imposed: the decision stays with you, and discussions are held on a without prejudice basis. Kingsley brings a therapist's ear for what sits underneath a dispute.

Fixed fees for disputes under £50,000

Fees are per party, with no VAT to add.

Each additional hour is £100 per party. Larger or more complex matters, and community mediation, are quoted individually. Use the enquiry form on this page for a quote and we will reply within two working days. See all fees.

Who it is for

• Contract and business disagreements, workplace matters and other civil and commercial disputes
• Disputes between neighbours and within communities (see community mediation)

Both parties need to agree to mediate, and a date can then usually be arranged quickly. If you are unsure whether your dispute is suitable, ask. Matters outside the mediator's training, competence and scope are declined or referred on.

How it works: six stages

1. Enquiry and conflict check. Send the enquiry form on this page with the names of all parties and representatives. Add the type, value and stage of the dispute, and your preferred format and dates. We check for conflicts and suitability and reply within two working days.
2. Agreement and quote. Both parties confirm they are willing and receive a written quote. No date is fixed until every party and representative has signed the Agreement to Mediate.
3. Preparation. Each party sends a position statement of no more than two pages, with any key documents, at least five working days before. The mediator may hold a short private call with each party.
4. The mediation day. Usually a joint opening, then private sessions with each party in turn. Sessions of two hours or less are normally by telephone or video. Longer ones are by video or in person at a neutral venue agreed in advance.
5. Settlement or close. Agreed terms are written down and signed on the day, and a signed settlement is binding as a contract. Where proceedings are live, representatives can ask the court to record it as a consent order.
6. After the day. A short closing letter confirms the outcome without recording what was discussed. Records are kept for the period in the privacy notice, then destroyed.

Your protections

• The mediator is impartial and does not advise either side or decide the outcome.
• What you say in a private session is not shared without your permission.
• Discussions are confidential and without prejudice, so nothing said can be used later, except for the narrow exceptions in the Agreement.
• If no agreement is reached, you keep every option you had.

Community mediation

Community mediation helps with disputes between neighbours and within communities, such as noise, boundaries, shared spaces and access, parking or visitors' behaviour.

• One party makes a confidential enquiry and, after a conflict check, the other party is invited in.
• Each side has a short preparation call, followed by a joint session of up to two hours, in person in South Shields or online.
• Both parties must take part willingly, and the fee is quoted individually.
• Housing officers, councils and residents' associations can refer both parties with their agreement.

It is not suitable where:

• there has been violence, harassment or threats
• a court order or injunction is in force
• one party cannot speak for themselves

In those situations you will be pointed to the right service.

For solicitors, insurers, employers and referrers

• Send the enquiry with the names of the parties and their representatives, and the claim number if proceedings are live. We reply within two working days with availability and a quote.
• The Agreement to Mediate goes to each representative, and position statements come from the representatives.
• The mediator can have a short call with each representative before the day.
• Representatives draft the settlement terms on the day, with the mediator helping on structure only.
• For small claims and low-value disputes, the one hour fixed fee telephone or video mediation is usually the best fit.

If something goes wrong

Marking Therapy works to the Civil Mediation Council's requirements and the European Code of Conduct for Mediators.

• Tell the mediator within 28 days of the mediation, in writing if you can.
• Your complaint is acknowledged within five working days and answered in full within 28 days.
• If that does not resolve it, you can take it to the Civil Mediation Council under its complaints procedure. The details and the form are on the Council's website.

Nothing in this route removes any legal right you have.

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Questions about mediation are answered on the FAQs page.