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Services to save people the time, cost and stress of
court action
Free mediation services for people involved in civil disputes are
being expanded to cover all of Scotland.
The services offer those who are eligible an opportunity to
negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution to their civil
dispute, reducing the stress, cost and time of going through a
court process.
Mediation hubs already exist in 22 sheriff court areas – 18 are
delivered by the University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic and
four by Edinburgh CAB Mediation Services. The expansion will see
the University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic open a further 17
hubs across the country.
Free mediation services, backed by more than £250,000 of Scottish
Government funding in 2023-2024, are available for civil disputes
involving sums up to £5,000, with hundreds of cases referred to
the hubs every year. Examples of such disputes include those
involving goods and services, building work, unpaid bills,
employment and vehicle disputes.
Victims and Community Safety Minister said:
“Civil disputes, especially when they end up in court, can be
costly and time-consuming for those involved and can affect
individuals, communities and organisations. Mediation within
the civil justice system offers the opportunity for a more
flexible and affordable way to resolve those disputes.
“The expansion of the availability of mediation services
will widen access to justice for citizens and businesses
consistently across the whole of Scotland.”
Head of Strathclyde Law School Professor Adelyn Wilson said:
“We are delighted that the Mediation Clinic’s partnership with
the Scottish Government has continued to flourish. To be able to
offer free mediation to eligible parties in 35 Scottish courts is
a tremendous honour and responsibility, and an important step
towards ensuring access to justice across Scotland.”
Background
The Scottish Government is providing a total of £251,587 in
funding in 2023-2024 to offer free mediation services
to parties in civil disputes involving claims of up to
£5000.
Of this, up to £93,374 will be invested in a funding
partnership with the University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic
and up to £58,213 for a funding partnership with Edinburgh
CAB Mediation Service.
Referrals to these mediation hubs are made by sheriffs.
The Scottish Government is also providing £100,000 to Scottish
Mediation in 2023-2024 to provide access to quality assured
mediation services via the link Find a mediator
(scottishmediation.org.uk) or by calling the Scottish
Mediation Helpline on 0131 556 8118.
A commitment to develop a draft model for the delivery of
mediation services across sheriffdoms is set out in the 2023-24
Programme for Government Mandate
Letter published in September.
