Squaring Circles launches online mediation service for lower value disputes

Rachael Bicknell

By utilising technology, Squaring Circles has streamlined its processes to make mediation for lower value claims more accessible, efficient and cost effective. The new online service allows parties in dispute to check mediator availability, book their mediation session and provide the required information and documentation through Squaring Circles’ online booking system, which will also reduce the time and expense incurred by solicitors when setting up a mediation.

Each mediation under the fixed fee service will be four hours long, which Rachael Bicknell, founder and mediator at Squaring Circles, reports is the optimal time when balancing cost and return. Further mediation time can also be booked if necessary.

It is anticipated the service will be of particular interest to parties involved in payment disputes, such as disputes with the suppliers of goods or services, disputes between subcontractors, lenders and creditors seeking to recover debts, insolvency practitioners seeking to recover sums from directors, and landlord and tenant disputes, amongst others. The service can be used by parties with solicitors instructed and by those who decide to try to resolve their differences without the involvement of lawyers.

For small claims under £5,000, the total cost of the service is £450 plus VAT and for claims between £25,000 and less than £50,000 the total cost is £900 plus VAT. This is usually divided equally between the parties unless they have come to some other arrangement.

Ms Bicknell said: “One of the reasons I founded Squaring Circles was to increase access to justice, which, for years, has been problematic for many businesses and individuals, particularly for lower value disputes where the costs of litigating are disproportionate to the value of the claim.”

Most solicitors agree that court action to recover sums under £50,000 is highly likely to result in legal costs for both sides exceeding the value of the claim. And that’s not taking into account the costs of then trying to enforce any order granted by the court should the claim succeed.

She continued: “This service provides a meaningful alternative to court for previously unaffordable or cost-prohibitive claims, whilst also providing an opportunity to resolve disputes quickly, conveniently and efficiently thereby freeing up time and money to focus on doing business.”

Further details are available here.