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Business mediation

Business mediation can be a quick, cost-effective, and confidential alternative to resolving disputes in court. The articles, guides and links on this page provide background information and practical guidance on business dispute resolution.
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Latest on business mediation

Our latest articles and webinars on business mediation.
ICAEW supports improved access to alternative dispute resolution
  • Article
  • 07 Jul 2025
ICAEW believes that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can be an effective process to resolve disputes between taxpayers and HMRC and that more should be done to encourage its use.
Government consults on HMRC’s approach to dispute resolution
  • Article
  • 21 May 2025
The government is seeking views on options for improving HMRC’s approach to resolving disagreements with taxpayers, focusing on HMRC’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and statutory review processes.
Government announces raft of tax simplification measures
  • Article
  • 29 Apr 2025
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty provides a summary of the key measures announced by the government on 28 April 2025 as part of a tax administration and simplification update, including a welcome delay to plans for mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind (BIK).
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
How to access free business banking dispute resolution support
  • Article
  • 14 Oct 2024
Accountancy firms play a unique role in supporting and advising SME clients about resolving banking issues – and some accountancy businesses may have banking issues of their own. Fortunately, help is at hand.
Financial Ombudsman Service: 99% of SMEs can bring their complaints to us
  • Article
  • 08 Jan 2021
11 January 2021: The Financial Ombudsman Service is the alternative dispute resolution service for those with a complaint about financial products and services. Its recently expanded remit allows more SMEs to access their services.
Exclusive How to avoid an employee strike
  • Article
  • 12 Nov 2019
Ensuring your staff and leadership remain on civil terms
Exclusive Managing and resolving conflict
  • Webinar
  • 09 Oct 2019
In ‘Conflict Resolution’, the ideal solution is the one that works best for both parties and achieves an agreed, workable outcome. The aim of this webinar is to introduce you to practical conflict resolution techniques and strategies to help you effectively manage conflict when it arises.
Exclusive Managing difficult situations and conversations
  • Webinar
  • 03 Jul 2019
This webinar provides simple and effective techniques to stay poised and resolve difficult situation.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on business mediation. Use the links below to see what we have available to request in our Library catalogue.
Pensions law handbook
  • Library book
  • 2023
A practical guide to all aspects of pensions law and practice in the UK.
Valuing a business: the analysis and appraisal of closely held companies
  • Library book
  • 2022
Aims to offer clear, concise coverage of valuation principles and methods. Includes information on writing and reviewing business valuation reports, valuing specific assets, instruments and interests, valuations for specific purposes and litigation and dispute resolution.
Risk management update for accountants and tax advisers
  • Library book
  • 2021
A Tolley's Tax Digest on getting risk management processes right. Covers: planning for the client retainer; how to get the retainer right; retainer creep; liability caps; consumers; disputes within clients; termination of the retainer; fee disputes; and common causes of claims & how to prevent them.
A practical approach to alternative dispute resolution
  • Library book
  • 2018
This book will also be of interest to practitioners who are looking for a clear account of the range and depth of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes and includes sample documentation and examples drawn from a range of different types of practice.
Dispute resolution
  • Library book
  • 2018
Chapters cover: insurance; negotiate; HM courts and tribunals service; the pros and cons of taking an action to court; limitation rules; identify the dispute and its potential arena; so, what are the alternatives to the court room?; choice of dispute resolver; and conclusions.
Expert determination
  • Library book
  • 2017
This book looks at the process of submitting differences or disputes to a third party, as well as the procedures followed in an expert determination and the status and enforceability of the decision which is reached. 

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

External resources - Directories/registers

Academy of Experts - Search Register
  • Website
  • The Academy of Experts
The Academy of Experts (TAE) provides a Search Register to find experts, mediators and expert determiners. All TAE mediators have been through an approved accreditation process.
Find a mediator
  • Website
  • CMC
Search for a mediator registered with the Civil Mediation Council. All mediators listed in the CMC's directory have completed recognised training courses, abide by a recognised Code of Practice, are appropriately insured, undertake annual continuous professional development and offer access to a complaints service if necessary.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Reports and briefings

CEDR Mediation Audit
  • Website
  • 2025
  • CEDR
The CEDR Mediation Audit is a biennial survey of both commercial mediators and lawyers attitudes and experiences in the UK. It looks at the mediation marketplace, professional background of mediators, sources of work, overall success rate and recent changes and trends.
Mediation and other alternatives to court
  • Website
  • June 2013
  • House of Commons Library
A House of Commons Library briefing note on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), covering sources of information on mediation services, how to find help with mediation costs, ombudsmen and arbitration.
Mediation at work factsheet
  • Website
  • April 2022
  • CIPD
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) factsheet on how mediation can resolve conflict in the workplace. Requires free registration for access.
Use Alternative Dispute Resolution to settle a tax dispute
  • Website
  • February 2022
  • HMRC
Guidance on HMRC's ADR process, which provides businesses and individuals with an alternative way of resolving tax disputes. ADR was initially trialled for small and medium enterprises and individual customers only, but has now been made available to larger and more complex businesses too.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Organisations

Academy of Experts - ADR resources
  • Website
  • The Academy of Experts
Information on ADR from The Academy of Experts (TAE), a professional body for expert witnesses which promotes all forms of alternative dispute resolution. The TAE offers training to qualify as a mediator in the commercial sector and provides accreditation for dispute resolvers. A Search Register to find experts, mediators and expert determiners is available.
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR)
  • Website
  • CEDR
A UK not-for-profit organisation providing ADR services to businesses and a range of training courses.
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • Website
  • CIArb
A not-for-profit UK registered charity, CIArb promotes and develops all forms of private dispute resolution and provides education and training for arbitrators, mediators and adjudicators.
Civil Mediation Council
  • Website
  • CMC
UK authority for all matters related to civil, commercial, workplace and other non-family mediation.
International Institute of Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR)
  • Website
  • CPR
Independent not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to 'help global business and their lawyers resolve complex commercial disputes more cost effectively and efficiently'.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

Further ICAEW resources

See the following ICAEW topic pages for a selection of eBooks, articles, legal alerts and guides:
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Business law and regulation
  • Hub page
Find out more about the law and regulations your business must comply with.
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Human resources and employment law
  • Hub page
Access articles, books and online resources on human resources and employment law.
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