6 Reasons to Embrace Mediation: There's No Zealot like a Convert!

There’s no zealot like a convert.

As a true convert to the power and value of mediation, I often find myself wondering why more people don’t mediate. When I set up Mediator Locator, my plan was to spread the word about the benefits of mediation, yet I see many opt for other means of dispute resolution every day.

While it’s encouraging to see how mediation is being chosen more than ever, it’s still puzzling to me why mediation hasn’t taken off as much as expected. When mediation is clearly the best option by a mile, why aren’t people making it their first port of call?

Let’s be honest: at its core, mediation is quicker, cheaper, less stressful, confidential, and often preserves relationships. So why isn’t everyone mediating?

I can only assume that people either don’t know or don’t fully appreciate just how effective mediation is—and how much worse the alternatives can be.

So let’s break it down:

1. Mediation is voluntary, but the courts are increasingly encouraging it

Judges now expect parties to seriously consider mediation before going to court. In some cases, parties who refuse to mediate can even be sanctioned on costs. That’s because the courts themselves recognise that mediation should play a bigger role in resolving disputes.

2. Mediation is affordable

Mediation costs a fraction of the price of litigation or other forms of dispute resolution. Why wouldn’t you want to save money while resolving your dispute more efficiently?

3. Mediation is fast

Litigation can drag on for years, especially if a case ends up in court. Other forms of ADR can also last many months—and often, just like litigation, the process itself becomes another battleground. Contrast that with mediation, which can resolve even the most challenging disputes in as little as one day.

Ask yourself: would you prefer a long, drawn-out process—or would you rather tie things up quickly and move on?

4. Mediation is confidential

Most of us work hard to protect our reputations. If you’d prefer to keep your dispute private, mediation is the way to go. Unlike litigation, which is played out in the public eye, mediation is conducted behind closed doors—so you don’t have to air your dirty laundry.

5. Litigation rarely leaves anyone smiling

No one comes out of a lengthy court battle saying, “That was a great experience—I must do it again.” On the contrary, most people emerge bitter and determined never to deal with the other side again. Is that how you want to feel, or how you want to live your best life?

6. Isn’t there enough conflict already?

Surely we can find a better way to settle disputes than adding fuel to the fire.

The truth is there is a better way—a process that saves time, money, stress, and the headache of unwanted publicity. And on top of that, mediation has an impressive settlement rate of over 90%.

Compare that to litigation, where the best you’ll often hear is that your case has a “reasonable prospect of success.” If your adviser has to put a number on it, you might get a 60% chance—essentially the toss of a coin. Would you bet good money on those odds?

So, let’s circle back to the key question: why wouldn’t you mediate every dispute? It’s undoubtedly the best option.

As a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, I can honestly say the only time I’d avoid mediation is if there was absolutely no alternative. I accept that sometimes it’s unavoidable—but with all that mediation has to offer, that should be the exception, not the rule.

This is a call to arms for anyone out there looking for a better way to resolve disputes: give mediation a try. I’m convinced that once you do, you’ll never look back.

Mediation has so much going for it that it practically sells itself. Join the Resolution Revolution.

At Mediator Locator, we have a panel of 30 highly skilled lawyer-mediators with nationwide coverage and expertise across all sectors. We offer both in-person and online mediation, fixed fees for disputes under £50,000, and a fast, efficient referral service. We can match you with the right mediator to get your dispute resolved quickly, and for a fraction of the cost of the alternatives.

I’m confident you won’t regret it—and we’ll look forward to welcoming you to the ranks of the converted.

We hope to hear from you soon.