College Chambers Private Dispute Resolution Service

We know every participant and every case is unique. We offer options to create the best private dispute resolution package to ensure disputes are resolved swiftly, providing finality for the parties and the ability to move forward.

College Chambers Private Dispute Resolution Service lets you pick and choose the ADR options that work best for you and then add the extras you want to create the ADR package that will give you the best chance of reaching an agreement.

College Chambers Private Dispute Resolution Service provides a one-stop option and an end-to-end service. We are so proud of it that we put our name on it.

Non-binding options suit any dispute you want to resolve, including children, family finances, civil, commercial, employment and inheritance/ probate disputes. The non-binding options enable participants to resolve more issues than a court can, for example the resolution of children and family finances at the same time.

The main non-binding options include:

1. Round-table negotiations: an experienced barrister is appointed to act for each party and engage in direct face-to-face negotiations, saving the time and expense of written correspondence.
2. Mediation: an independent facilitator is appointed to help you reach an agreement to resolve your dispute. The aim is to end the session with a settlement agreement you can live with safe in the knowledge that you should not have to go to court. This can also be done in the format of round table / shuttle mediation or by video, e.g. Teams and Zoom.
3. Early Conciliation or Early Evaluation or Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE): the participants jointly ask an independent expert for their opinion on a dispute. Evaluation can be used as part of another non-binding process.
4. Private Financial Dispute Resolution (pFDR): this is essentially the same as a court held FDR but with the parties agreeing and appointing an independent pFDR judge with the relevant expertise. A pFDR timetable is agreed by the parties. A date can be set up more quickly than a court date, based around the participants' availability and the parties will have the full attention of the pFDR judge for the whole day if required. This vastly increases the chances of a successful pFDR with a finalised settlement.
5. Private Dispute Resolution Appointment (pDRA): again, this is just like the court hearing but with an experienced and independent pDRA Judge who can deal with the matter based on the parties' own timetable. As with pFDR, a pDRA date can be set up more quickly than a court date, at a date that is convenient to the parties, and the parties will benefit from having the full attention of the pDRA judge with the aim of reaching agreed arrangements for their children.
6. Private Settlement Conference / Pre-trial Settlement Hearing (pPTSH): also just like a court based judicial settlement hearing. An experienced and independent pPTSH Judge will evaluate the claim/defence. pPTSH's can be set up more quickly than court hearings, and it will be at the participants convenience. Parties have the full attention of the judge, who will have read all the papers.
7. Resolution Collaborative Law: each party appoints their own Resolution collaboratively trained lawyer. The Resolution Collaborative Law process culminates in a face-to-face meeting.

Binding Options are where you are legally bound by the decision of the arbitrator, their decision (or judgment)

Arbitration is essentially a private court. Arbitration is confidential, unlike the court process where reporting of cases is encouraged.

Participants often feel less stressed at College Chambers, where there are proper facilities specifically available during any hearings before the arbitrator.

1. Civil and commercial arbitration: for disputes between private individuals, businesses and corporations. You jointly appoint a qualified independent expert arbitrator to hear your arguments and make a binding decision and award to resolve your case. If enforcement of the award is required, an application to court can be made to convert the award into an enforceable court order.
2. Family arbitration: for disputes concerning family finances or arrangements for children. You jointly appoint an independent expert arbitrator to hear your arguments and make a binding decision on your case. Parties opt for arbitration when there is urgency e.g. schools, house sale, mortgage offers, or they do not want to risk there being a court delay, and they want to ensure the undivided attention of the judge. The decision is then referred to the court for approval and conversion into a binding court order.

We can provide representation as well as a mediator, evaluator or arbitrator. Our clerks are on hand to help you with Step 2. They can give you information on who is available to help you.

You can search our barristers by skill on the Meet our team page.

Our clerks and administration team are well-practised at keeping participants' information separate. We put information barriers in place to make sure your communication remains confidential.

Our clerks are here to help. If in doubt, please ask.

Our setup allows everyone to be onsite but separate if that is what the participants want. Being onsite is advantageous; for example, lawyers can have face-to-face conversations. It enables the participants to meet and have joint meetings if they so wish. Signed settlement agreements can be achieved on the day.  

However, if greater flexibility is required, College Chambers has a Teams Meeting Room enabling participants to join remotely or host video private dispute resolutions.

We can even book an alternative venue if that is needed.

Our College Chambers Private Dispute Resolution Service puts the participants in control. You let us know what you need, and if we can help and everyone agrees, we will.

For example

• Do the participants want lunch to be provided?
• If participants require a late start because of an international time issue, would supper assist? Alternatively participants are welcome to order delivery to our building or to take a short break and walk to one of the local eateries.
• Are the participants only available at weekends?
• Would it assist the participants to have the session at a set time, or spread over a few days?

All barristers, mediators and arbitrators are committed to making and facilitating any adjustments required to help participants fully engage in the process.

Just because it is private does not mean it is unaffordable. We are really proud of the flexibility of College Chambers Private Dispute Resolution Service, including our flexible pricing. To provide a quote, you just need to tell us:

• The type of ADR
• The time required
• What representation is needed
• How many rooms are required
• What extras are needed

Once we know the service and facilities required, we will provide a clear quote.

Our College Chambers Private Dispute Resolution Service puts the participants in control, including control of the costs.

Costs fall into four categories.

1. The cost of legal representation each party pays the costs of their own legal representation.
2. The cost of the mediator/evaluator/arbitrator normally each party contributes equally to this cost.
3. The cost of the venue - if you are not using a College Chambers' barrister or mediator/evaluator/arbitrator, then our rooms can be booked for a very reasonable fee, or you may need us to book an alternative venue.
4. The cost of any extras.

We are also developing fixed-price models for our unique College Chambers Get it Done Package.