This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Mediation projects get go ahead
23/05/2006
Two new pilot in-court mediation projects in Aberdeen and Glasgow and a civil justice Advice Finder website were launched today.
The projects, based in the sheriff courts, will help people facing small civil disputes looking to resolve problems without going through court proceedings. They will run for two years and will be evaluated to see whether they could be of longer term benefit.
Efforts to find constructive solutions to complaints are also supported by the Advice Finder website which will provide information about alternative dispute resolution, how different methods work and who to contact, as well as being a gateway to other, relevant sites.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"Going to court can be a stressful, time-consuming and expensive process and I am delighted to be able to support the constructive process of mediation.
"Clearly, some problems can not be resolved through mediation. However, we support efforts to promote ways of dealing with many different types of complaint that dont involve the courts.
"The funding we are providing for these new pilots demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting the expansion of mediation in Scotland and the benefits that it can provide for those who have disputes they wish to settle.
"The Advice Finder website is another useful tool for people seeking to resolve difficulties - whether facing debt problems, employment matters, consumer issues, neighbour disputes or family matters. The website will point them in the direction of the most important sources of help, when unsure of where to turn.
"Together the mediation pilots and advice website will take us a step closer to delivering efficient and effective justice services that support the daily lives of ordinary citizens."
Following an open competition the contract to establish and run the pilots has been awarded to Court Mediation Services, a subsidiary of Catalyst Mediation.
The Aberdeen and Glasgow pilots follow the first in-court mediation pilot based at Edinburgh Sheriff Court which has been in operation since 2003. However, the new pilots will differ from the Edinburgh scheme as they will be available for ordinary cause cases and will make provision for payment by the users and remuneration of the mediators.
Claims with a value of less than £750 will be free for the user however, for claims with a larger value, fees will be charged on a sliding scale.
The pilots will run for two years at a total cost of around £60,000 per annum (£30,000 each).
Local advisory groups, including representatives from the Executive, Sheriff and court staff and legal professionals will monitor progress of the pilots.
The website is expected to cost around £11,000 including staff training. There will be no ongoing maintenance charge.