WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION?
Settle a disputed debt sooner, for less, and without a courtroom
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the umbrella term for ways of settling a disputed debt without litigation — chiefly without-prejudice negotiation and mediation, but also options such as early neutral evaluation. Instead of waiting months for a trial, the parties talk through a neutral process and agree terms that work commercially for both sides. The courts in England and Wales actively expect parties to consider ADR before issuing a claim, and a judge can penalise a party in costs for unreasonably refusing to engage.
Most disputed debts never need a hearing. Our debt recovery solicitors assess where the dispute really lies, then open structured negotiations or mediation to bridge the gap. ADR sits neatly alongside the formal pre-action protocol steps the courts require, and you can read the court's own expectations in the Civil Procedure Rules. The result is usually a faster, cheaper and less stressful outcome than a contested trial.
How we help
Without-prejudice negotiation
We open frank, off-the-record talks with the other side so positions can move without anything said being used later in court. Most disputes settle here, before any formal hearing is needed.
Mediation
Where talks stall, we arrange a confidential mediation with an independent mediator who helps both parties find common ground. It's voluntary, but settlement rates are high and the day usually ends in agreement.
Settlement agreements
Any deal is only worth the paper it's on if it's properly drafted. We document the terms in a clear, binding settlement agreement so payment is enforceable and the dispute is closed for good.
Faster resolution
Court timetables can run to a year or more. ADR often resolves a disputed debt in weeks, freeing up your time and cash and removing the uncertainty of waiting for a trial date.
Lower costs than court
Issue fees, hearings and expert evidence add up fast. Settling through negotiation or mediation typically costs a fraction of fighting a claim to trial, with far less of your management time tied up.
Preserving relationships
Litigation tends to burn bridges. ADR is far less adversarial, so you can recover what you're owed and still keep a valued customer, supplier or partner on side for the future.
You may have a claim if…
You have a disputed debt or payment dispute
You'd prefer to avoid the cost and delay of court
You want a commercial, pragmatic outcome
The other party is in England or Wales
How your claim works
01
Free assessment
We review the disputed debt, the paperwork and the other side's position, then explain plainly whether negotiation, mediation or a court route is likely to serve you best.
02
We open negotiations
We make contact on a without-prejudice basis and put a structured proposal to the other party, pressing for a sensible commercial settlement while protecting your legal position.
03
Mediation if needed
If direct talks don't close the gap, we arrange and prepare you for a confidential mediation with an independent mediator, and represent you throughout the session.
04
Settlement agreed
Once terms are agreed, we draft a binding settlement agreement setting out exactly what's payable and when, so the matter is resolved cleanly and enforceably.
Alternative dispute resolution FAQs
What is alternative dispute resolution (ADR)?+
ADR is a group of methods for resolving a dispute without a court trial. For disputed debts the main forms are without-prejudice negotiation and mediation, where the parties agree commercial terms with the help of a neutral process rather than asking a judge to decide.
Is ADR compulsory?+
Not in every case, but the courts in England and Wales expect parties to consider ADR before and during a claim. A judge can penalise a party in costs for unreasonably refusing to engage, so it should never be dismissed out of hand.
What is mediation?+
Mediation is a confidential meeting where an independent, trained mediator helps both sides reach a settlement. The mediator doesn't impose a decision — they guide the discussion until the parties agree terms, which are then recorded in writing.
Is a settlement legally binding?+
Yes. Once a settlement is agreed and documented in a written agreement, it is legally binding and enforceable. If the other side later fails to pay as promised, you can take steps to enforce the agreed terms.
Will ADR work if the debt is genuinely disputed?+
Often, yes. ADR is built for genuinely disputed debts — it gives both sides a structured way to test the strengths and weaknesses of their case and reach a compromise, which is frequently quicker and cheaper than letting a court decide.
What does it cost compared with court?+
It varies with the dispute, but ADR is almost always cheaper than fighting a claim to trial. You avoid court issue fees, hearing costs and much of the expert and legal time a contested trial demands. We'll give you a clear estimate at the outset.
FREE CLAIM CHECK
See if you can claim in 60 seconds
