Civil disputes can be stressful, expensive and difficult to manage, particularly when communication has broken down or the people involved have become fixed in their positions.
Kent Mediation Service provides professional civil mediation for individuals, businesses and organisations across Kent. Mediation offers a confidential and constructive opportunity to discuss the dispute, understand the issues and explore a practical way forward.
What is civil mediation?
Civil mediation is a voluntary and confidential process used to resolve disputes between individuals, businesses or organisations.
An independent mediator helps the participants communicate effectively, identify the main issues and consider possible solutions. The mediator does not decide who is right, provide legal advice or impose an outcome.
The participants remain in control of whether an agreement is reached and what that agreement contains.
What disputes can civil mediation help with?
Civil mediation can be used for many different disagreements, including:
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Property, boundary and neighbour disputes
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Building work and home-improvement disputes
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Money owed and unpaid debts
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Consumer complaints
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Contractual disagreements
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Disputes over goods or services
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Landlord and tenant matters
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Professional service complaints
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Probate, inheritance and family property disputes
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Disagreements between individuals, clubs or organisations
If you are uncertain whether your situation is suitable, contact us and we will help you consider the available options.
How can mediation help?
Mediation allows participants to look beyond their stated positions and consider what is needed to resolve the underlying problem.
It can help you:
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Clarify the issues causing the dispute
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Explain your concerns in a managed environment
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Understand another participant’s perspective
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Explore practical and flexible solutions
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Reduce further cost, delay and stress
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Preserve an important personal or commercial relationship
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Avoid the uncertainty of formal proceedings
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Reach an agreement that reflects your circumstances
Possible outcomes could include a payment arrangement, remedial work, an exchange of information, an apology, agreed boundaries, the return of property or commitments about future conduct.
When can mediation take place?
Mediation can be considered before court proceedings begin, while a claim is underway or after previous negotiations have been unsuccessful.
Seeking mediation at an early stage may prevent the dispute from becoming more entrenched. However, it is rarely too late to explore settlement if everyone is willing to participate.
Mediation does not replace independent legal advice, and urgent legal action may still be necessary in some circumstances.
How the process works
Every case begins with an initial enquiry. We ask for basic information about the dispute, the people involved and any steps already taken.
Where mediation appears suitable, we will:
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Explain the process, fees and likely timescale.
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Contact the other participant where appropriate.
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Appoint a suitable independent mediator.
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Arrange introductory conversations.
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Coordinate an online or in-person mediation.
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Record any agreement reached, where requested.
Why choose Kent Mediation Service?
Kent Mediation Service combines professional case management with an approachable and proportionate service.
Our mediators are independent and impartial. Every participant is given an opportunity to be heard, and the process is adapted to the circumstances of the case.
As an initiative of Kent Law School delivered in collaboration with Ashford Mediation Service, we bring together academic expertise, practical mediation experience and established professional systems.
Frequently asked questions
Mediation itself is not a court process. If an agreement is reached, it can be recorded in writing. Depending on the dispute, the participants may obtain legal advice about making it legally binding or incorporating it into a court order.
Not necessarily. The mediator will consider the safest and most constructive format. Conversations may take place jointly, separately or through a combination of both.
Mediation is voluntary, so everyone must agree to participate. With your permission, we may contact the other participant, explain the process and invite them to consider mediation.
Yes. Mediation can take place before or during proceedings. You should remain aware of court deadlines and obtain independent legal advice where necessary.
Costs depend on the value and complexity of the dispute, the number of participants and the time required. We will explain the likely fees before anyone commits to proceeding.