ACRE Mediation services

What is ACRE Mediation?

Analytical, commercial, restorative, and expert (ACRE) mediation is a robust dispute resolution service developed by RICS.

A mediator clarifies issues, checks realities, and assists parties in finding solutions. They guide negotiations to prevent conflicts from escalating. Our experienced mediators use their technical expertise and experience to analyse legal and commercial aspects of parties’ disputes to offer flexible solutions that courts/arbitration cannot provide. The focus of the mediation is on restoring business relationships, preventing further damage and avoiding the time and cost of court.

Mediation is suitable for all disputes, and all our Mediation services can be conducted either online or face to face. Parties will need to agree this and notify RICS of their choice when submitting their application.

Why choose ACRE Mediation?

ACRE Mediation stands out for its four key principles:

Analytical: mediators help analyse legal and commercial issues, guiding the parties to informed solutions.
Commercial: solutions are flexible, considering broader commercial realities.
Restorative: the process is confidential, restoring trust and protecting relationships.
Expert: mediators are RICS-accredited, with specific expertise in property, land and construction matters.

Our mediators will not offer any evaluation of parties’ positions or opinion unless all parties expressly agree to seek it. Similarly, they will not advise on the merits of any settlement. They will chair and manage the mediation process and oversee and manage negotiation between the parties.

ACRE Mediation offers several advantages over traditional dispute resolution:

Confidential: all discussions remain private.
Cost-effective: a flexible process tailored to the dispute, often less expensive than litigation.
Control: parties retain control over the decision, unlike court processes.
Efficient: disputes are resolved quickly, typically in a day or over a few sessions.
Relationship-focused: helps restore and preserve professional relationships.

The ACRE Mediation process follows these steps:

Application: both parties agree to mediate and submit a request for a mediator via RICS DRS.
Appointment: RICS appoints a neutral, expert mediator with no conflicts of interest.
Initial meeting: the mediator meets with both parties to outline the process and clarify issues.
Negotiation: the mediator facilitates negotiations, helping parties analyse their positions.
Resolution: if an agreement is reached, it is recorded in a settlement.

The cost of ACRE Mediation depends on the nature and complexity of the dispute. Typically, costs are split equally between parties, ensuring transparency and affordability. A detailed fee structure can be provided on application. RICS do not charge the parties an application fee – this fee is recouped from the mediator.

RICS mediators are professionals with extensive experience in the built environment. Mediators on our register/panel are continually monitored to ensure they satisfy the requirements of the Civil Mediation Council.

Further information on this service can be found in the user guide available here.

How to apply for ACRE Mediation

To request a mediator, complete the DRS2M mediation application form available on the RICS website. RICS will appoint a mediator within five days, and parties can typically expect a resolution within 28 days of the mediation session.