The most recent civil disputes I’ve mediated involved a division of assets but on the day of the mediation the absence of key information caused a blockage for the parties who were otherwise moving toward their chosen form of settlement.

The Judge in this case ordered indemnity costs against a party who refused to agree a very short extension for service of a Statement of Case.

Beware - this can mean a bigger bill for the ‘loser’.

The Court had regard to the overall justice of the case.

The High Court has penalised a successful defendant for failing to mediate by awarding it only two-thirds of its costs even though it won.

No, you are not. On the contrary, to take some control of your own destiny and make your decisions is strength.

Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules is about offers to settle a claim (before or during proceedings).

The Civil Procedure Rules govern the conduct of litigation and Part 36 of those rules provides for consequences of offers made in accordance with that Part.