Disputes can be stressful, time-consuming and difficult to manage, particularly when communication has broken down or positions have become fixed.
Mediation offers a constructive way to address conflict. It gives the people involved an opportunity to explain their concerns, understand the issues and explore practical ways forward with the support of an independent mediator.
Kent Mediation Service provides professional, accessible mediation for individuals, businesses and organisations across Kent. Our service is designed for people who want to resolve a dispute without immediately relying on lengthy or expensive formal proceedings.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process.
The mediator does not act as a judge, decide who is right or impose an outcome. Instead, they manage the conversation fairly and help the participants identify the main issues, consider different options and work towards an agreement where possible.
The participants remain in control of the decisions made.
Mediation can be used before legal or formal proceedings begin, while a case or internal process is underway, or after other attempts to resolve the dispute have been unsuccessful.
Our mediation services
We provide three core types of mediation.
Civil
Mediation
Civil mediation supports individuals and organisations dealing with everyday disputes.
These may involve money, contracts, property, services, consumer issues or disagreements between individuals. Mediation can help the participants consider practical solutions while reducing the cost, delay and stress associated with an ongoing dispute.
Commercial
Mediation
Commercial mediation helps businesses resolve disagreements in a confidential and commercially focused setting.
It may be suitable for disputes involving contracts, unpaid invoices, suppliers, customers, partnerships or professional relationships. The process can help businesses protect valuable relationships, reduce disruption and find workable outcomes.
Workplace
Mediation
Workplace mediation helps colleagues, managers, employees and teams address conflict constructively.
It may assist where there has been a communication breakdown, relationship difficulty, grievance, return-to-work issue or wider team tension. The focus is on helping the participants understand what has happened and agree how they can work together more effectively.
How Kent Mediation Service works
Every case begins with an initial enquiry.
We will ask for some basic information about the dispute, who is involved and what has happened so far. This helps us understand whether mediation may be appropriate and identify the most suitable next steps.
Where the case is suitable, we will usually:
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explain the process, likely costs and expected timescales;
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contact the other participant or participants, where appropriate;
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appoint a suitable independent mediator;
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arrange any individual introductory conversations;
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coordinate the mediation meeting;
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record any agreement reached, where requested.
Mediation may take place online or in person, depending on the circumstances and availability of everyone involved.
A professionally managed service
Kent Mediation Service is an initiative of Kent Law School, delivered in collaboration with Ashford Mediation Service.
The University provides academic leadership, educational oversight and support for the continued development of mediation practice.
Ashford Mediation Service provides the operational experience, professional systems, case administration and mediator coordination needed to manage enquiries and cases effectively.
This partnership allows us to offer a service that is both credible and approachable, supported by established professional processes.
Why work with Kent Mediation Service?
Independent and impartial
Our mediators do not take sides. Their role is to support a fair and balanced process in which everyone has an opportunity to be heard.
Accessible and proportionate
We aim to make professional mediation available to individuals, businesses and organisations that may find traditional dispute resolution processes too costly or complex.
Clear and supportive
We explain the process in straightforward language and help participants understand what to expect at each stage.
Focused on practical outcomes
Mediation allows participants to consider flexible solutions that reflect their circumstances, rather than being limited to the outcomes a court or formal process might impose.
Professionally delivered
Cases are supported by experienced mediators, established administration and clear standards of professional practice.
Connected to education
Our relationship with Kent Law School supports education, research and the development of future dispute resolution professionals.
Is mediation suitable for every dispute?
Mediation can be helpful in many situations, but it will not be appropriate in every case.
It may be less suitable where there are significant concerns about safety, capacity, coercion or a serious imbalance between participants that cannot be managed through the process.
There may also be situations where urgent legal advice or court action is required. Mediation does not replace independent legal advice, and the mediator will not advise participants about the strength of their legal position.
An initial enquiry allows us to consider suitability and explain any issues that should be addressed before proceeding.
Taking the next step
You do not need to know which type of mediation you require before contacting us.
Tell us briefly about the dispute and who is involved. We will explain the available options, provide clear information about the process and help you decide whether mediation may offer a constructive way forward.