Charlie Irvine

As soon as the lockdown began, Edinburgh Sheriff Court Mediation Service and Strathclyde Mediation Clinic started preparing for remote mediation.

Encouraged by early successes, they have trained mediators in the use of Zoom and telephone and are ready to receive new cases while the courts consider how best to respond to the crisis.

The simple procedure rules enable sheriffs to take any steps necessary to settle cases, so referral to mediation services may become routine.

However, because of the need to prioritise criminal trials and urgent civil matters, all simple procedure cases are paused in Edinburgh and Glasgow Sheriff Courts. The situation varies across Scotland and some courts are referring cases for online mediation.

Charlie Irvine, director of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic, said: “Our mediators are ready and willing to play their part during this pandemic. We understand the pressures on the justice system and can assist both represented and unrepresented people in deciding whether and on what terms to settle.

“We are happy for firms to approach us directly about mediation prior to action.”

Heloise Murdoch, manager of Edinburgh Sheriff Court Mediation Service, added: “We also have mediators willing to carry out Zoom or phone mediations and who would be happy to try and ease the workload of the justice system, in addition to giving litigants a further option of dispute resolution while their cases are unable to be heard due to the pandemic.”