Mediation hope for small disputes

A scheme to make small claims disputes easier to resolve informally is to be pioneered in the east of England.

Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Lord Falconer inaugurated the scheme at Chelmsford County Court on Friday.

The mobile service, allowing parties to talk in person or on the telephone, will operate across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

It is hoped it will offer a less hostile environment than a courtroom.

Less stressful

Lord Falconer said: "Mediation can be particularly beneficial where a continuing relationship is necessary - for example in a business case.

"For some people taking a case to court can appear intimidating, time-consuming and stressful - not to mention costly.

"Mediation provides an alternative that allows parties to discuss the issues in a less formal environmnt, to patch up differences and to agree a settlement."

The scheme was piloted in Manchester and is being rolled out to a number of locations across England and Wales.