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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.
Dispute resolution
  • Webinar
  • 08 Nov 2023
James Forse from Acas offered insights into the nature and causes of disputes. This webinar also provided practical advice for resolving conflicts and clarify the distinctions between information, consultation and negotiation. Register to watch it on-demand.
BBRS expands SME access to free dispute resolution
  • Article
  • 16 Oct 2020
19 October 2020: Samantha Barrass, CEO at the Business Banking Resolution Service, explains the eligibility criteria for this free scheme and encourages members to register if they have a dispute and think they might come within its remit.
Exclusive How to avoid an employee strike
  • Article
  • 12 Nov 2019
Ensuring your staff and leadership remain on civil terms
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.
Managing difficult situations and conversations
  • Webinar
  • 03 Jul 2019
This webinar provides simple and effective techniques to stay poised and resolve difficult situation.
Exclusive Getting creative with conflict
  • Article
  • 18 Jul 2016
Managing conflict is a key to success for finance directors and others, argues Patrick Dunne. Here, he offers advice for turning disputes into productive discussions.

Legal Alert

Legal Alert is a monthly checklist from Atom Content Marketing highlighting new and pending laws, regulations, codes of practice and rulings that could have an impact on your business.
New guidance: Employers set to use alternative dispute resolution more
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2023
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers in England and Wales look set to use different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve employment law disputes, following new ADR guidance and associated protocols issued by the President of Employment Tribunals in England & Wales.
New consultation: Compulsory mediation for small legal claims may be on the way
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2022
  • Atom Content Marketing
Businesses are considering the possible implications if the government goes ahead with proposals for compulsory mediation for small civil legal claims – and possibly larger claims later.
Disclaimer

These articles from Atom Content Marketing are for general guidance only, for businesses in the United Kingdom governed by the laws of England. Atom Content Marketing, expert contributors and ICAEW (as distributor) disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions.

Business press

The Library provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive Unilateral tax settlement and mutual agreement procedures
  • Article
  • 25 Sep 2023
  • Federico Vincenti and Alessandro Valente
Federico Vincenti and Alessandro Valente of Crowe Valente/Valente Associati GEB Partners explore the complex relationship between Italy's domestic tax dispute resolution mechanisms and OECD and EU directives on mutual agreement procedures.
Exclusive Will late payment ever be resolved, or is it a fantasy?
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2023
  • Sean Feast
Which Government measures to support businesses suffering from late payments are most likely to work? The article looks at the options, from beefing up existing measures (the Prompt Payment Code, the role of the Small Business Commissioner), to using a combination of carrot and stick to encourage prompt payments. The potential advantages of using solutions such as automatic invoicing software, online dispute resolution platforms and debt management companies are discussed.
Exclusive Business Interruption Insurance, pandemics, and a very U.K. story of dispute resolution
  • Article
  • 01 Jun 2021
  • Adam Samuel
As the Covid-19 pandemic hit UK businesses hard during 2020, stories emerged that the insurance industry was failing to pay out on its business interruption cover. Adam Samuel looks at how the UK's regulatory and dispute frameworks worked to protect businesses.
Exclusive Mediation can help small businesses solve conflicts and protect relationships
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2020
  • Nick Leiber
Advice on using mediation to reach agreements, without damaging important business relationships.
Exclusive A step towards compulsory mediation?
  • Article
  • 26 Jan 2019
  • Jacqui Joyce
A discussion of Civil Justice Council report on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Exclusive Destination resolution
  • Article
  • 01 May 2018
  • Andrew Michaels
How to find the right mediator for alternative dispute resolutions (ADR). The article emphasises experience in the relevant industry and satisfactory neutrality.
Exclusive Refusing to mediate
  • Article
  • 08 Dec 2016
  • Emma Emery
Looks at the use of mediation to address commercial disputes and avoid litigation, along with the ability of parties to refuse to negotiate through mediation. The article cites recent court decisions pertinent to this issue.
Exclusive Conflict? Talk it out
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2015
  • Rachel Eryn Kalish, Pat Zigarmi
Tips for leaders to navigate intense and emotionally charged discussions through open and direct communication. Includes advice on developing your conflict resolution skills and tackling tough conversations with staff.

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 (Libcat).
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
  • February 2023
  • 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
Find out more about the law and regulations your business must comply with, using our selection of legal alerts and briefings on best practice.
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Contract law
Articles, news and guidance on contract law in the UK and Europe.
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Human resources and employment law
Access articles, books and online resources on human resources and employment law.
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