The Civil Procedure Rules emphasise the overriding objective of dealing with cases in a cost effective manner and encourage avoiding trial if at all possible. Central to such an objective is the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR as it is commonly known.

Glovers was one of the four founding firms of CEDR, the pre-eminent Alternative Dispute Resolution organisation in the UK. Three of the partners (David Miles, Tony Bourne and Peter Pitt) are accredited ADR Mediators. David is described in Chambers Directory as an "excellent mediator" and he is also described as one of the leaders in construction mediation. He is part of CEDR's Mediator Training Faculty and a member of the Panel of Independent Mediators, comprising eleven of the most experienced mediators in the UK. He is also joint author of "The ADR Practice Guide (Commercial Dispute Resolution)" published in November 2000. David Miles is also Chairman of the Construction Conciliation Group (CCG) - www.ccgroup.org.uk. He developed the Construction Conciliation Procedure, which is a cost effective dispute resolution process aimed specifically at disputes concerning residential occupiers and their builders."

Glovers' solicitors are trained in the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Cases are assessed as to their suitability for settlement by ADR and our solicitors are able to advise clients and assist the Court at the Case Management Conference as to the appropriateness of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Commercial Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Advice on litigation, mediation, arbitration, negotiation and adjudication.

Commercial disputes can be costly; time consuming; and are always undesirable particularly where long-standing trading relationships may be threatened, that’s why we aim to reach a quick and satisfactorily resolution.

We work in partnership with our clients firstly to explore the possibilities of avoiding dispute but, if dispute is inevitable, then to utilise litigation and (if appropriate) mediation procedures to resolve disputes and contractual claims, including, if necessary,compensation claims for damages.

We pursue and protect the rights and entitlement of many small, medium and large commercial concerns; our range of staff ensures that each case can be dealt with appropriately and proportionately.

We enjoy an acknowledged reputation for the quality of our work in this field and welcome instructions in contractual claims; construction and engineering disputes; insolvency and intellectual property matters.

An important aspect of our approach is to ensure that our clients are kept informed on a continuing basis of the costs implications of the advice given, and of the action to be taken. The repeat instructions which we receive from our clients confirm that this partnership attitude is appreciated.

Mediation is an alternative method used to resolve disputes, which is usually quick and non-confrontational. It means that cases can be settled without the time and expense of court proceedings.

Our team are experienced mediators and two members are accredited ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Group mediators. Everyone in our large mediation team is able to represent clients at mediations and our ADR Group members are also able to sit as mediators. One of the ADR Group members particularly specialises in personal injury claims, and between these mediators they have resolved disputes in excess of £1 million.
Main services are

* Representing clients in mediation
* Acting as mediators in mediations
* We offer home visits to the elderly, infirm and disabled and can provide large print leaflets on request

Prettys is committed to Alternative Dispute Resolution in all its forms. The use of ADR, particularly mediation is central to our philosophy of seeking to achieve cost effective and creative solutions to disputes wherever possible.

We have two trained mediators amongst our dispute resolution solicitors and a larger number of solicitors who are experienced in advising clients on the use of ADR techniques and representing them in mediations.

We have successfully employed ADR in cases both before and after court proceedings or arbitration have or has been begun across a broad range of disputes of widely differing values. We have successfully resolved disputes involving: claims against professionals; civil engineering and construction contracts; carriage of goods by sea and land; corporate disputes, including shareholder issues and corporate finance; partnership disputes; IT and IP; supply of goods and services; and property rights.

Mediation can, in our experience, be particularly effective in multi party disputes, where total costs can quickly become disproportionate to even quite sizeable claims and it can be difficult to get all parties together in the same place at the same time. The process of mediation can prove a lot less acrimonious than litigation or arbitration and therefore help to preserve ongoing business relationships when a dispute arises. Also, because the range of solutions available through mediation is greater than is available to the courts or to arbitrators, mediation can be both more flexible and creative and sometimes better able to meet the parties’ interests.

The courts actively promote mediation. There are a number of court sponsored mediation schemes. It is important to have in mind that a refusal to consider mediation can have adverse consequences (usually in the form of disallowing or reducing costs) even for a party who is successful in litigation. There are an increasing number of reported cases in which the point has arisen.